Dozens of minors and teenagers were taken into police custody following a huge brawl that took place in Hersheypark on opening day, forcing families visiting the area to take cover under tables as the bloody altercation unfolded. A total of 55 individuals, ranging from 12 to 19, were involved in a series of violent scuffles that broke out around the amusement park in April 2026.
Derry Township Police Department officials revealed that out of those involved in the brawl, 53 of them were minors. Authorities also said the suspects were accused of committing a variety of misdemeanor and felony offenses along with the fighting. According to officials, two groups, referred to as “group A and group B” were captured on video arguing in the park just moments before things escalated into physical violence.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m., just an hour before the park was due to close. Law enforcement officers were contacted and the groups separated, but the fight started up again at the food court, where families trying to have a good time were forced to hide their small children under tables. Dozens of minors were seen near one of the park’s roller coasters wrestling around and punching each other, leading to park employees shutting down the ride.
According to a report from the Post Millennial, several of the teenagers involved in the incident were booted from the park, but police say they re-entered the park and got involved in yet another fight just a half hour later. Officials charged those involved with “disorderly and assaultive behavior,” with other charges of assault, conspiracy, theft, failure to disperse, riot, disorderly conduct, and other charges.
“Our Department, including our Criminal Investigation Section, takes these types of public safety issues seriously, investigating significant time into cases like this one to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” the Derry Township Police Department went on to say in a statement, according to a report from Crime Watch.
A female witness to the chaotic event spoke with local media outlet CBS 21, saying they had seen a large group of teenagers getting into a verbal altercation with each other before 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,” she said. “They were pushing over tables and chairs while running through and security chasing them.”
A spokesperson for the park put out a statement concerning the brawl, saying, “As safety is our top priority, Hersheypark has a zero-tolerance policy for behavior of this type. Those who do not abide by our policy will no longer be welcome on our property.” Following the incident, Hersheypark increased security measures. One such measure requires individuals who want to leave and re-enter the park to produce photo verification of their identity.
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The new policy requires those who wish to enter the park to have a digital photograph taken when they leave. If they try to re-enter the park, a new digital photo will be taken and compared to the exit photo to confirm it is the same person. There is no option available 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,” the spokesperson said.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video