Police said that at about 5:25 pm on September 26, they received a report informing them that an assault had occurred on the northern end of the parking lot at Newtown Shopping Village, a shopping center at 6 Queen Street, so they responded to investigate.

Police said that a 12-year-old boy who was seated inside a parked vehicle had sprayed some Silly String onto a 17-year-old boy who was standing outside the vehicle.

The substance is a flexible plastic string that is propelled out of an aerosol can, typically used at parties as a novelty item.

In response, the 17-year-old boy retrieved a pair of brass knuckles and struck the 12-year-old boy several times, police said. The younger boy received some minor cuts and refused medical attention, police said.

After investigating, police charged the 17-year-old boy with second-degree assault, carrying a dangerous weapon, and risk of injury to a child under age 16, police said.

Police said they released the older boy to a parent for an October 17 appearance in Bridgeport Juvenile Court. Police did not disclose the boy's identity because he is under age 18.