Three teenagers are now facing riot charges following a series of fights that erupted inside a mall in the Washington, D.C., area. The clashes forced authorities to shut down the shopping complex on Saturday evening.
Police were called just after 7 p.m. to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia. Upon arrival, they discovered a large crowd in the food court engaging in multiple simultaneous fights, according to a news release from the Arlington County Police Department issued on Sunday.
Video shared on social media shows a massive police response inside the food court.
Despite the large police presence, “the crowd remained disorderly and fights continued to occur,” police said.
During the incident, a 14-year-old male reportedly attacked an officer and resisted arrest. Police revealed that a knife was found in his possession when he was apprehended. The teenager has been charged with assault on a police officer, participating in a riot while carrying a weapon, and trespassing.
Authorities shut down the mall as a precaution. The mall reopened on Sunday with increased police patrols in the area. (@forkthehaters via Storyful)
Some responding officers, mall security personnel and a store employee reported minor injuries, police said. The two teen girls detained were also treated for minor injuries.
Authorities closed the mall and evacuated patrons as a safety precaution. The mall reopened as scheduled on Sunday with police conducting increased patrols in the area.
