WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — An altercation broke out in a large crowd at Busch Gardens Saturday night—the opening weekend of Howl-O-Scream—leading to additional law enforcement resources getting called in to help, according to a statement from the city on behalf of the James City County Police Department.
Around 10 p.m. when the park's Howl-O-Scream event was ending, police responded to a disturbance within a crowd of several hundred people, police say. The disturbance started as a verbal dispute between two large groups of people—mostly children and young adults—who were in line for rides near the park's entrance, according to police.
Video obtained by News 3 depicts a chaotic scene with cars fleeing the area and police lights flashing from multiple vehicles.
The incident escalated, prompting officers from JCCPD, the Williamsburg Police Department and deputies from the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office to provide extra help to the other law enforcement personnel who were already there, police say.
During this time, some park attendees made statements indicating that someone in the crowd may have had a firearm and the crowd dispersed, police say.
Watch related coverage: People get stuck on Griffon ride at Busch Gardens
Shortly after, a group of children believed to be part of the altercation started walking back towards the park's entrance, police say. Officers noticed one child grabbing at his waistband in a way that, according to police, "suggested he might be armed." Police did not say how old the child was.
Police say the child initially refused to show his hands when officers asked him to. After, the child briefly cooperated, but then made another motion towards his waistband, police say.
Police say the child was detained but they found no weapon on him. The child was then released to his parents.
Another dispute broke out in the France parking lot after the initial dispute and before the child was detained, but was quickly over once more law enforcement personnel arrived, police added.
There were no reported injuries in connection to the incidents. There were also no arrests or weapons detected by law enforcement, police say.
JCCPD is using Saturday night as a reminder of the park's rules, especially as fans come to the park for its annual Howl-O-Scream festivities.
"...guests who fail to adhere to the park’s code of conduct disrupt the experience for others, create unnecessary safety risks, and may face expulsion/banishment from the park and/or legal repercussions. Parents and guardians must take responsibility for supervising their children, ensuring they behave appropriately and are picked up promptly. We are committed to ensuring Howl-O-Scream is a safe and fun event for all, and guests play a cooperative role in achieving this goal," police said in the release.
