Florida law enforcement officials arrested 23 juveniles and six adults after a brawl broke out Saturday night outside a Brandon skating rink where a party had been canceled.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday around 9:20 p.m., deputies responded to a call from an off-duty Astro Skate deputy asking for help with a large crowd fighting in the parking lot.
Investigators learned that the fight broke out after the scheduled party was canceled because the organizers of the private party failed to employ Astroskate’s required off-duty representatives.
Because the requirements were not met, the party was canceled and the organizers were issued a refund.
After learning the party was canceled, the group turned to social media and called on friends and acquaintances to gather at Astroskate and riot against businesses and law enforcement officials.
Deputies reported there were between 300 and 400 people in the rink’s parking lot and nearby businesses.
Responding deputies told the crowd to leave because they were trespassing, but the crowd continued to fight, damaging nearby businesses, stealing, and disrupting business.
According to the sheriff’s office, one of the rioters attacked a boy inside a nearby barber shop.
The victim was punched and thrown through a plate-glass window at the barbershop and was later taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Another group entered the convenience store, damaged more than $500 worth of wine bottles and stole an unspecified amount of merchandise from the store, the sheriff’s office said.
Ultimately, the sheriff’s office arrested 23 juveniles and took them to the Juvenile Assessment Center, and six adults were also booked into the Orient Road Jail.
FOX 13 in Tampa reports officers arrested 32-year-old Lekela Evans. Yazelin Ramos, 21 years old. Malik Carter, 20 years old. Jadyn Sebro, 18 years old. Aliya Alfonso, 18 years old. and 18-year-old Fareed Carter.
All six suspects were charged with trespassing, according to court documents. Mr. Ramos and Mr. Sebro were also charged with disorderly conduct, and Mr. Evans was charged with resisting an order of a police officer without violence.
“We are outraged by the violent and destructive acts that have targeted hard-working people and businesses and caused harm, fear and disruption in our communities. This behavior will never be tolerated in Hillsborough County under any circumstances,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.
“When responding to a busy scene like this, our deputies must consider potential danger from all directions. As you can see in the horrifying footage, these people have no fear for their safety. Our representatives had to intervene to defuse the situation professionally and quickly.”
