Youth basketball game becomes riot, as 9 teens arrested after crowd 'closes in' on deputies
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nine juveniles were arrested Friday after a brawl at a Washington state middle school that involved 33 police units as a group of at least 60 teenagers closed in around deputies, according to officials. (Facebook via Clark County Sheriff's Office)
Nine teens were arrested Friday after a disturbance at a middle school basketball tournament in Washington state turned into a riot when as many as 70 teenagers closed in around three sheriff's deputies, authorities said.
Deputies from 33 law enforcement units eventually responded to the scene after a report of a disturbance at Gaiser Middle School in Vancouver, Wash., around 5:40 p.m., according to the Clark County Sheriff's Office.
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"Three deputies arrived on scene and were immediately met with verbal hostilities from the large group of teenagers, to include racial slurs, cursing and threats of assault," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Three deputies arrived on scene and were immediately met with verbal hostilities from the large group of teenagers, to include racial slurs, cursing, and threats of assault."
As the deputies attempted to address a specific individual, about 60 to 70 teenagers began to "close in" on the deputies, the statement said.
NEW JERSEY SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME DEVOLVES INTO BRAWL CAUGHT ON CAMERA
“It was just like being in an episode of the Twilight Zone. It was really crazy really quickly,” Sgt. Chad Rothenberger with the Clark County Sheriff's Office told KGW8.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The teens continued to curse at the deputies and threaten violence against them, including making death threats, FOX 12 Oregon reported.
As more law enforcement units arrived on the scene, the youths remained disruptive challenging police and school officials, the station reported.
Authorities said they arrested those who failed to comply with orders to leave the premises, the release said.
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The nine juveniles were arrested on charges that include trespass, assault, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to the release.
One deputy received minor injuries while struggling with one of the suspects during an arrest, authorities said.