VIDEO: Memphis Mini-Golf Center Erupts Into Chaos At The Hands Of Hundreds Of Unattended Teens

KEY POINTS

Between 300 and 400 teens left unattended at a Memphis mini-gold center became disorderly and damaged much of the center after the scene turned chaotic on Saturday
The center's staff said the teens became disorderly after the they were told the center was closing due to surpassing the permitted 50% occupancy during the coronavirus pandemic and could not provide immediate refunds
One teen was given a juvenile summons for disorderly conduct, but police have not said if any others will be filed

A local entertainment center in Memphis, Tennessee, turned chaotic after 300 to 400 teenagers began destroying the local miniature golf facility after being denied refunds before it closed because it had surpassed its reopening capacity.

There has also been scrutiny leveled for violating the state’s standing order limiting occupancy for indoor commercial centers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The scene erupted on Saturday when parents dropped the teens off at Putt Putt Fun Center. Police said parents began dropping their children off and leaving, with the number of teens growing above the limited 50% building capacity allowed under Gov. Bill Lee and the state health department’s order.

Staff told the teens the center would have to close early because of the occupancy violation, sparking verbal backlash from the crowd. It escalated after several teens asked for refunds after they claimed some machines ate their money, but staff was unable to provide them immediately. This sparked the crowd to begin attacking machines and throwing various items at the staff behind the counter.

At least one girl was seen picking up a metal line divider and threw it at the staff, all of whom remained behind the counter during the scene. Police arrived a few minutes later to break up the scene and gave the girl, whose name has not been released, a juvenile summons for disorderly conduct.

The chaotic scene was recorded by a woman identified as Tatianna Lak, who posted the video to her Facebook before it subsequently went viral.

“Unfortunately, yesterday evening we had an incident that we have never experienced in 57 years of business,” the center’s manager, Aaron Boss, said in a press release on Facebook. “Parents chose to leave large groups of teenagers at our facility without parental supervision. 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.”

“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.”

Police have not said if any additional summonses will be issued or if action will be taken for violating the state’s coronavirus order.