55 children and teenagers charged in Hersheypark brawl

Fifty-five children and teenagers have been charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses for allegedly starting and participating in a large group fight at Hersheypark in April.

Children as young as 12 were among those charged, and all but three are younger than 18. The charges, according to police, include riot, aggravated assault, theft, and failure to disperse. The three adults charged are Omar Ibraham, 19, Jerome Ross, III, 18, and Quaneek Williams, 18, all of Harrisburg.

Officers were called to Hersheypark around 7 p.m. on April 3, the park’s opening day. Eyewitnesses told CBS News that a large group of teenagers ran through the food court, knocking over tables and chairs as security chased them. Videos posted from that day also showed teenagers running through the park while being pursued by security.

Charges were not announced until this week, after police reviewed park security footage and social media videos, and worked with schools to identify those allegedly involved. Derry Township Police Chief Garth Warner said that while arrests involving two or three juveniles are relatively common, the size of this group made the case notable.

“Because it was such a large incident where multiple (people) were involved, and there were other children there, it was prudent of us to hold everyone involved accountable,” Warner said.

No serious injuries were reported and no one outside the group involved was hurt.

More broadly, videos circulating online suggest that some teenagers in Pennsylvania are participating in a trend of public fights or “wilding out,” raucous behavior that is often filmed, posted, and treated as entertainment by peers.

One Instagram account, “Harrisburg the Best,” is filled with videos of teenagers fighting. The captions often include laughing emojis and, in some cases, first names of the people shown. In several videos, other teenagers appear to act as referees.

Kate Burdick, a senior attorney at the Juvenile Law Center, said cases like these are difficult because they involve both public safety concerns and adolescent development.

“Kids are going to convene, and that is a positive, prosocial event,” Burdick said. Although she does not condone fighting, she said she worries about the harm that can come from criminalizing adolescent behavior.

“Our recourse tends to be very punitive, whereas what we know about kids is that they’re still developing and have an immense capacity for change and growth,” she said. “A punitive response can cause additional trauma and doesn’t increase safety.”

Still, not every juvenile case results in a trial. Steve Jarmon, a Philadelphia lawyer who specializes in juvenile criminal defense, said juvenile courts are designed to consider what is in the best interest of the child. In some cases, that can mean probation or diversionary options that allow a child to avoid formal adjudication.

Because the charges were announced only this week, it remains unclear how many of the 55 cases will proceed to adjudication or trial.