A large “6-7” event that attracted around 300 children and teenagers ended in chaos after eight fights broke out.
The event took place at Sky Zone, a trampoline park in Shrewsbury, Missouri, on Sunday afternoon local time. When officers arrived, they found that the venue had not arranged additional security despite the fact it anticipated a large crowd.
Shrewsbury Missouri Police Department said there were between 300 and 350 “unaccompanied juveniles” – aged 10 to 17 – waiting in line outside. “With temperatures around 90 degrees, it did not take long for tempers to flare. Approximately 8 fights broke out in a matter of minutes,” the department said in a statement on Facebook.
Officers requested assistance from other agencies due to the “size” and “volatility” of the crowd. The disorder spread to nearby businesses, including Aldi, Walmart and My Place, where police said youths entered stores, caused damage, and threatened customers and staff. Most surrounding businesses were forced to close for the day.
Police said some of the youths turned their aggression towards officers, shouting obscenities, making threats, throwing rocks, and refusing to leave the area.
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Several youths were detained and later released to their parents or guardians. A knife was also seized from a 12-year-old girl who said she had travelled to the area from Florissant after seeing the fights on social media and wanted to be involved, bringing the weapon with her “for protection”, police said.
The area was cleared by around 9.30pm. No officers were injured and no injuries were reported by others.