Children and Teenagers Cause Massive Opening Day Brawl at Theme Park

Dozens of kids and teenagers are now facing criminal charges after chaos erupted at Hersheypark’s opening day, turning the popular Pennsylvania amusement park into the scene of a massive brawl.

Authorities said 55 people have been identified and charged after multiple fights broke out inside the Hershey, Pennsylvania, park on April 3, the first day of its 120th operating season.

According to the Derry Township Police Department, the charges came after a “lengthy and thorough investigation” into what officials described as “disorderly and assaultive behavior by numerous youths.”

The suspects range in age from just 12 years old to 19 years old. Most of those charged are minors, with only three adults identified by police.

Authorities said the charges include a mix of misdemeanor and felony offenses, including simple assault, conspiracy, theft, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault, riot and other offenses.

The adults charged were identified as Omar Ibraham, 19, Jerome Ross III, 18, and Quaneek Williams, 18, all of Harrisburg. Police did not immediately make clear which specific charges each adult is facing.

The terrifying scene unfolded around 7 p.m. when Hersheypark security called police for help after several fights reportedly broke out among groups of teenagers inside the park.

Three people were initially arrested, while several others were kicked out of the park as security and police worked to get the situation under control.

One witness told CBS 21 that she saw a large group of teenagers arguing before they began chasing one another 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.”

Video from the chaotic incident was later shared with local media and posted on social media, showing the frightening scene as families were caught in the middle of the disorder.

Hersheypark later condemned the violence and said the park has no 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.”

The wild opening day brawl also led the park to tighten its security rules.

After the incident, Hersheypark began using a new photo verification process for guests who leave the park and want to come back in on the same day.

Under the policy, guests who exit the park have a digital photo taken. If they return later that day, another photo is taken and compared with the first one to confirm it is the same person. Guests are not allowed to opt out of the process.

“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 initially 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.

The arrests mark a stunning fallout from what was supposed to be a family-friendly opening day at one of Pennsylvania’s most famous amusement parks.