Approximately 400 teens vandalized a Memphis, Tennessee Putt-Putt Fun Center on Saturday night when things got out of control.
Hundreds of Teens Descend on Business
Memphis police responded to a complaint that there were around 300 to 400 people at the golf place, which is in violation of the current COVID order, Fox 13 reports.
According to an MPD spokesperson, someone threw fireworks into the crowd, which led to a stampeded.
During the ruckus, a police officer saw a 13-year-old boy take plants out of pots and began throwing plants at various cars in the parking lot.
Police said the stampede and violence occurred after the business told the teens it was closed and would not be issuing refunds.
Video Shows Chaos and Violence
Video footage shows teens throwing and breaking various objects at the establishment. It has gone viral on Twitter and other social media platforms.
Parents dropped off 300-400 kids at Putt Putt on Summer last night, according to MPD, breaking #COVIDー19 rules.
A witness tells me the girl seen here was there abt 2 hours before mgmt made everyone clear out. She reacted like this, he says, when they wouldn’t give her a refund. pic.twitter.com/Tdo7dkFu6l
— Winnie Wright (@WinnieWrightTV) July 26, 2020
Journalist Winnie Wright wrote:
“Parents dropped off 300-400 kids at Putt Putt on Summer last night, according to MPD, breaking #COVID-19 rules.”
“A witness tells me the girl seen here was there abt 2 hours before mgmt made everyone clear out. She reacted like this, he says, when they wouldn’t give her a refund.”
Employees Harrassed by Teens
A complainant said that several teens destroyed Plexiglass barriers that shielded employees from customers. They also broke napkin dispensers and violently threw cash registers, police report.
Officers tried to clear the parking lot while employees began cleaning up the huge mess left behind.
Golf and Games issued the following statement on Facebook:
“Unfortunately, yesterday evening we had an incident that we have never experienced in 57 years of business. Parents chose to leave large groups of teenagers at our facility without parental supervision,” said Aaron Boss, the center’s general manager. “Some of those people chose to create a disturbance the likes of which we have never seen. We are very thankful that none of our Golf and Games family or customers were injured in this situation.”
Criminal Charges Sought by Management
Boss also said that they are looking to pursue criminal charges.
“We are actively working with authorities to identify those involved and hold them accountable for their actions. Going forward, all minors must be accompanied by their parent or guardian while at Golf and Games. Anyone that is left unattended will be asked to leave,” he wrote. “We are and always have tried to be the locally owned place for family entertainment for almost six decades. And we will always welcome those who choose to share their family experiences with us. We look forward to serving you soon.”
https://twitter.com/BooGotMoves/status/1287293917780742144
The teens devolved into senseless vandalism and violence as management tried to regain control of the situation only to be stifled by disrespect.