Dozens of Kids and Teens Criminally Charged After Massive Opening Day Brawl at Theme Park

More than 50 people, most of them teenagers, have been criminally charged after a massive brawl broke out at Hersheypark on the first day of the Pennsylvania amusement park’s 120th season.

The Derry Township Police Department said 55 people have now been identified and charged in connection with the April 3 incident at the popular park in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Police said the charges followed a “lengthy and thorough investigation” into what they described as “disorderly and assaultive behavior by numerous youths” inside the park.

The suspects range in age from 12 to 19, with only three of them 18 or older.

The adults charged have been identified as 19-year-old Omar Ibraham, 18-year-old Jerome Ross III and 18-year-old Quaneek Williams, all of Harrisburg. It was not immediately clear which specific charges each adult faces.

Authorities said the group has been charged with various misdemeanor and felony offenses, including simple assault, conspiracy, theft, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault, riot and other charges.

According to CBS News Pittsburgh, Derry Township police said officers were called to help Hersheypark security around 7 p.m. that day after multiple groups of teenagers began fighting inside the park.

Three people were initially arrested, and several others were immediately kicked out, police said.

One witness told CBS 21 that she saw a large group of teenagers arguing before they began chasing each other through the park.

“I happened to be in the food court at the time, and got shoved over along with several children and parents,” the witness said. “They were pushing over tables and chairs while running through and security chasing them.”

A short video of the chaos was later shared with the outlet and posted on social media.

Hersheypark said it has zero tolerance for that kind of behavior.

“As safety is our top priority, Hersheypark has a zero tolerance policy for behavior of this type,” a park spokesperson said. “Those who do not abide by our policy will no longer be welcome on our property.”

After the brawl, Hersheypark increased security measures at the park.

According to CBS News Philadelphia, guests who leave the park and want to return the same day are now subject to a photo verification process.

Under the new policy, a digital photo is taken when guests exit. If they return later, another photo is taken and compared to the first one to confirm it is the same person. Guests are not allowed to opt out.

“To enhance park security and provide a faster and more seamless way for our guests to re-enter the park, we now use a secure digital photo comparison system,” a Hersheypark spokesperson said.

The park also caused confusion after briefly announcing a policy that would have barred guests under 21 from wearing face masks or face coverings inside the park. A spokesperson later confirmed that the change had been suspended.