A 400-man riot broke out at a Florida skate park after the venue canceled a planned after party at the last minute.
The large brawl erupted Saturday night in the parking lot at Astro Skate in the Tampa Bay Metropolitan area after frustrated party organizers put out a call online encouraging people to ‘riot’ and ‘confront law enforcement’ at the skate park.
The rampage saw more than 400 people, both children and adults, fighting, stealing and causing damage to local businesses.
One group of rioters caused $500 worth of damage to a convenience store and another beat a juvenile before throwing him through a glass window at a nearby barber shop.
Twenty-three youths and six adults were arrested in the violent outbreak, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed.
A 400-man riot broke out at Astro Skate in Brandon, Florida on Saturday night after the venue canceled a planned after party at the last minute. Frustrated party-goers (pictured during the riot) put out a call on social media encouraging people to ‘riot’ and ‘confront law enforcement’ at the skate park
The rampage saw more than 400 people, both children and adults, fighting, stealing and causing damage to local businesses
Twenty-three youths and six adults were arrested in the violent outbreak, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed
Authorities were called to Astro Skate in Brandon, about 13 miles from Tampa, around 9.20pm Saturday after an off-duty deputy reported a large crowd fighting in the parking lot.
Investigators say the fight broke out after Astro Skate canceled a planned after party because the event hosts failed to hire an off-duty deputy to monitor the event, as per company policy.
Although the skate park refunded their money, the party-goers were seemingly angry and took to social media asking people to meet at the business and riot.
When deputies arrived at the scene, approximately 400 to 500 people were fighting and causing disturbances in the Astro Skate parking lot and at nearby businesses.
Deputies issued multiple warnings informing the crowd that they trespassing and needed to leave, but the group carried on the rampage.
Smaller groups broke away from the large fight and targeted nearby businesses.
One group of rioters another beat a juvenile before throwing him through a glass window at a nearby barber shop. Pictured is the broken glass after the attack at the Time Out Barber Shop
One breakout group attacked a juvenile inside the Time Out Barber Shop. He was beaten and thrown through the shop’s plate-glass window (pictured)
The boy who was attacked in the barber shop suffered a severe cut on his hand and was taken to Tampa General Hospital in stable condition
One breakout group attacked a juvenile inside the Time Out Barber Shop. He was beaten and thrown through the shop’s plate-glass window.
The boy, age undisclosed, suffered a severe cut on his hand and was taken to Tampa General Hospital in stable condition.
Another group entered into a nearby convenience store, stole and undetermined amount of merchandise and caused over $500 worth of damage to the store’s wine bottle selection.
After refusing to comply with officers, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested a total of 29 people.
The six adult arrestees were booked at Orient Road Jail and the 23 minors were transferred to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
Authorities were called to Astro Skate around 9.20pm Saturday after an off-duty deputy reported a large crowd fighting in the parking lot
An office is seen inside the Time Out Barber Shop on Saturday night collecting statements after a juvenile was beaten and thrown through the shop’s plate-glass window
Sheriff Chad Chronister said he is ‘outraged’ by the violence and disruption caused by the group and has vowed that ‘violent and destructive behavior will never, under any circumstances, be tolerated in Hillsborough County’.
‘I am outraged by the violent and disruptive behavior that targeted hard-working people and businesses and created harm, fear and chaos in our community. Let me make this unequivocally clear: this violent and destructive behavior will never, under any circumstances, be tolerated in Hillsborough County,’ said Sheriff Chronister.
‘When responding to a scene as hectic as this, our deputies must account for potential danger from any direction. As you can see in the horrifying footage, these individuals had no regard for safety, our deputies had to step in to defuse the situation professionally and swiftly.
The incident remains under investigation.
