Bloody fight ends Phoenix tattoo expo

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PHOENIX, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The 2012 Body Art Expo in Phoenix came to an abrupt end when an argument over money ended in a six-person fight, officials said.

Police officers were called to clear the scene at the Arizona state fairgrounds Sunday after six people started fighting over a payment dispute for a tattoo, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, reported.

"They just started slugging," said city police Sgt. David Lake, who added alcohol was involved.

Lake said the event's organizers asked officers to clear the fairgrounds about an hour before the expo, which began Friday, was scheduled to end.

"When we arrived, the management said the show was over pretty much. They requested that we just facilitate in encouraging people to go," Lake said.

One of the men involved, whose name was not reported, left the tattoo expo with a broken jaw.

He said his friend paid a $100 deposit to an artist for a tattoo he never received.