Friday night at Curtis Hixon Park turned chaotic when a big gathering of young people devolved into what authorities described as a “teen takeover.” The event, which attracted a big crowd to the prominent downtown location on May 8, led to the arrest of 22 people ranging in age from 12 to 21.
The gathering immediately developed into a series of fights and overall chaos, necessitating an early and intense response from the Tampa Police Department.
Patrol officers, bike units, and air assistance were dispatched to the location to disperse the throng and retake control of the park. According to official sources, police seized two firearms and one vehicle before the end of the incident.
The charges leveled against the group differ greatly. Many of the younger adolescents, some as young as 12 and 13, are facing charges of affray, which is defined as fighting in public.
Others risk more serious charges, such as drug possession, carrying a weapon while committing a criminal, and violently resisting officers. Among those detained were Yarli Smith, 21, and Don McAllister, 20, who was charged with possessing cannabis and a firearm.
“This type of reckless and criminal behavior will not be tolerated in our city,” Chief Lee Bercaw said in response to the event. “What began as a large gathering quickly escalated into disorder and activity that placed others at risk.”
Bercaw also made a direct appeal to local families, stating that the legal consequences of the night might haunt the participants for years. “Parents need to know where their children are and who they are with,” he said. “Unfortunately, the poor decisions made by these 22 individuals last night could have lasting consequences that follow them well into adulthood.”
The “takeover” phenomenon, in which large groups of teenagers use social media to arrange massive, frequently destructive gatherings, has become a major concern for law enforcement across the country. With summer break approaching, Tampa officials are promoting the availability of alternative activities for local youngsters. Programs like “Stay and Play” and “Midnight Basketball” are expressly created to provide secure, supervised venues for teenagers to hang out in the evenings.
For the time being, the city is dealing with the fallout from Friday’s disturbance. The 22 arrested individuals include 12-year-old King-Ray Neal, 13-year-olds Amariauna Couzens, Anthony Keenan, Austin Mann, Khyree Walton, Mi’khy Wells, and Roshad Richardson; 14-year-olds Jerrod White and Termaine Brown Newton; 15-year-olds Armani Polite, Josiah McClinton, Malik Jordan, and Michael Balkaran; 16-year-olds Cedric Wilson, Chaucey Williams, and Tonae Gray Mitchell; 17-year-olds Kaji Elder and Zantwann Baldwin; 18-year-old Rodrico
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