On Saturday night, law enforcement officials in Hillsborough County, Florida were faced with a chaotic scene as a brawl erupted outside of a skating rink. Deputies responded to a call from an off-duty deputy at Astro Skate, reporting a large crowd fighting in the parking lot. It was later discovered that the fight was a result of a private party being canceled due to the organizers not fulfilling the requirement of hiring an off-duty deputy for the event, as per Astro Skate’s policy.
The responding deputies found themselves dealing with a crowd of 300-400 people, who had gathered at the skating rink and surrounding businesses after the party was canceled. Despite being instructed to leave as they were trespassing, the crowd continued to fight, causing damage to nearby businesses, stealing, and disrupting operations.
A disturbing turn of events occurred when one group attacked a juvenile inside a barber shop. The victim was viciously beaten and thrown through a plate-glass window before being taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. In another incident, a group reportedly caused over $500 worth of damage to a convenience store and stole an unknown amount of merchandise.
“More than 30 people were arrested Saturday night, including several minors, following a large fight outside a popular skating rink in Brandon, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.”
– Tampa Bay Times
— The Daily Sneed™ (@Tr00peRR) May 20, 2024
As the situation escalated, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was able to detain 23 juvenile suspects, who were then taken to the juvenile assessment center, as well as six adults who were booked into the Orient Road Jail. The adults have been identified as 32-year-old Lekera Evans, 21-year-old Yazelynn Ramos, 20-year-old Malik Carter, 18-year-old Jadyn Sebro, 18-year-old Aliyah Alfonso, and 18-year-old Fareed Carter. All six suspects have been charged with trespassing, with Ramos and Sebro facing additional charges of disorderly conduct and Evans being charged with resisting an officer’s orders without violence.
Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed his outrage over the violent and destructive behavior exhibited by the partygoers. He stated that such actions would not be tolerated in Hillsborough County and commended his deputies for their professional and swift response in a chaotic and dangerous situation. Along with the arrests, the sheriff’s office is also conducting a thorough investigation to identify and charge any additional individuals involved in the brawl.
The incident has caused concern and outrage among the community and businesses affected by the chaos. Dave Bottcher, owner of Astro Skate, expressed his disappointment that the situation escalated to such violence and destruction. He added that the decision to cancel the party was a safety measure, and the organizers were provided with a refund.
🇺🇸 WILD YOUTH RIOT BREAKS OUT IN FLORIDA
Dozens of teens went crazy in Hillsborough County tonight after a private party was cancelled at a skating rink due to failures by the organizers to abide by regulations.
23 Juveniles were arrested after violence that spilled over into a… pic.twitter.com/qDCgdy2xwY
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 21, 2024
The sheriff’s office is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist with their investigation. They are also reminding the public and event organizers to adhere to safety policies and not contribute to situations that could potentially put lives in danger. So far, it has been reported that the victim of the barber shop incident is in stable condition, and no other injuries have been reported.
As the investigation continues and the suspects face charges, the community is left to deal with the aftermath of the violent brawl. It serves as a reminder of the need to prioritize safety and follow rules and regulations in order to avoid such incidents. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has ensured that they will do everything in their power to prevent such chaos and protect the community from such violent and destructive behavior.
