INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Chicago’s Navy Pier Closed By Fight Involving Dozens Of Teenagers

By Amanda Lager
Published on: 13:05 PST, Dec 28, 2014

A fight erupted Friday night at the Navy Pier, a popular Chicago tourist attraction, leading to the arrest of five teenagers. Two other people were injured during the fight.

The Chicago Tribune reports that police responded to a call of a disturbance at the Navy Pier around 7:45 p.m. Police found about 30 people involved in the fight. Officers then closed access to Navy Pier. They allowed visitors to leave, but no one to enter.

No property was damaged during the fight. The Chicago Fire Department confirmed that one person was sent to the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital with unknown injuries. The mother of the injured person said that her other son also went to the hospital, but was transported by cab. Five arrests were made for reckless conduct.

Khaaliq Warner, a face painter working at the Navy Pier at the time of the fight, described the scene breaking out in fights among young people.

“It was all high school groups. There was a stampede of people running toward us.”

The Winter Wonderfest attraction was shut down as well. Navy Pier visitors came to the festival with children, such as Cindy Braun, who attended with her sister and her nephew.

“It’s scary for the little kids and their parents. It’s not right.”

Here is one look at the Winter Wonderfest attraction, shared by Navy Pier officials.

CBS Chicago says that dozens of teenagers were involved in multiple fights along the Navy Pier that evening. The five males that were arrested ranged in ages from 14 to 22. Other teens headed north and caused disturbances at Chicago’s Water Tower and at public transportation stops. One Navy Pier worker said that as many as 100 people were involved in the fights.

In reaction to the fight, Navy Pier officials have closed the Winder Wonderfest to children and young adults. Minors must be accompanied by legal guardians with identification. No reasons behind the series of fights were reported.

The Navy Pier shutdown comes after a string of incidents in Chicago occurring during the holidays. A domestic violence-related shooting closed down a Magnificent Mile Nordstrom on Black Friday as covered by the Inquisitr. The shooting startled holiday shoppers, who heard gunshots and started running. Other recent incidents include a fight and potential shooting at Ridge Mall.

[Photo Source: Chicago Sun Times]

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