BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Baltimore police are describing Monday’s chaos at the Rotunda in north Baltimore as a “large gathering of youth,” not a “teen takeover,” but the scene still left residents and visitors shaken after a fight and property damage.
The disruptions unfolded at the Rotunda on West 40th Street, where hundreds of students converged on the property after what was the first day of classes for Baltimore City Public Schools. Police said the gathering led to a fight and damage that police believe was accidental, not vandalism.
Surveillance video shared by Cinnaholic showed two juveniles on an electric scooter crashing through the bakery’s glass storefront. Other video captured a fight in a large crowd, with police officers trying to pull two girls apart as other students gathered across the property.
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The incident began at about 4 p.m. on Monday. Students at the Rotunda said a social media post circulated telling people to “meet at the Rotunda after school,” and hundreds showed up.
By Tuesday, shoppers and moviegoers had returned to the Rotunda, despite the disruption less than 24 hours earlier.
“Yes, it looks really good. It looks like nothing happened, really. They do the good job,” shopper Xiomara Grant said.
Moviegoer Holly Beatty said she hoped security would be increased. “Well, we’ve never really seen any big trouble here. There’s security. Hopefully they’ll up the security here and maybe stop things like that happening again,” Beatty said.
Shopper Daren Muhammad said he did not plan to stay away. “I’m back today. Absolutely. I don’t have that fear. I refuse to live my life in fear of anyone, juvenile or adult. You gotta live your life.”
ALSO READ | ‘Teen takeover’ at The Rotunda ends with scooter crashes, broken window and student fight
A Rotunda resident who asked to protect her identity recorded some of the activity from her apartment balcony as disruptions broke out below, including what appeared to be students on an electric bike slamming into a vehicle. “It’s concerning because this has always been a safe place,” she said. “I’m nervous here. It does leave you feeling a little bit uneasy,” she added.
A Baltimore Police Department spokesperson confirmed two juveniles involved in the fight were taken into custody and later released to their parents. Police also took a third juvenile, a 16-year-old, into custody and later released them, though it was unclear why.
As visitors returned Tuesday, Rotunda visitor Kidiam Adams called for accountability from families. “I 1,000% blame the parents, OK, this is the parents’ fault. These children may be smart children, but they lack discipline, they lack structure, they lack decency, and it is the parent’s fault,” Adams said.
There was a visible police presence at the Rotunda on Tuesday, including Baltimore City police and city schools police, and some residents expected the same Wednesday.
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