Multiple fights cause Knott’s Berry Farm to close early
After fights broke out on Saturday night, sending many guests running for the exits and closing the park three hours early, Knott’s Berry Farm said that it will increase security measures.
Teenagers hurled blows on a street outside the park, and security personnel got caught up in the commotion, some of which was caught on camera and shared on social media. People were terrified when fighting broke out and they tried to flee the area.
Someone on TikTok questioned aloud why youngsters seemed to be “punching random people.”
She said, “I was so scared,” and went on to say that many youngsters were sobbing.
Captain Sean Doran of the Orange County Fire Authority reported that paramedics transported two patients to the hospital and assessed a third who declined treatment.
Many 911 calls in Buena Park reportedly reported shooting, but police were able to rule out any violence upon arrival.
According to the park’s announcement, the Buena Park Police Department has been given access to park surveillance footage and guest lists, resulting in a more visible police presence and heightened safety measures for park guests.
Knott’s Berry Farm said in a statement, “The safety of our guests and associates is always our top priority.” Due to several incidents involving disruptive youngsters, the park was forced to close three hours early. That is not the kind of experience we want any of our guests to have at Knott’s Berry Farm, and it goes against everything we stand for as a park.
The amusement park welcomed visitors again on Sunday.
Sunday morning, Enrique Castro of Anaheim waited in line with his wife, son, grandchild, and a group of relatives who had travelled all the way from Coahuila, Mexico. Despite what had happened the night before, he insisted that his safety was not a concern.
“This has always been a safe place for me and my family,” Castro remarked. We feel safe here, therefore we have been visiting for years. I’ve never really heard of anything like this before.”
At the entry Sunday, visitors’ bags, backpacks and personal goods were inspected. Security workers from Fullerton-based Allied Universal Event Services employed handheld metal detectors, while other parkgoers who didn’t have bags proceeded through metal detectors.
Workers in yellow jerseys could be seen walking about the park. Officers in white clothes stood guard.
Santa Ana mother-of-two Griselda Navarro said she saw the news reports but did not want to tell her children because she did not want them to be upset. They compromised, she recalled, by deciding to leave the park at 6 o’clock.
You have to be careful, but I think Knott’s is safe,” Navarro advised. The saying goes, “Anything is possible.”
Fearful customers reportedly fled the scene when gunfire erupted on Saturday, as evidenced by social media posts.
Someone at the park reported on Facebook that a brawl broke out as people tried to leave the building. Everyone started yelling and fleeing at once. We exited through a back entrance used for employees.
One cell phone video depicted a young man hitting a helpless fellow teen who had his hands up to protect his head as he lay on the ground. Another cell phone footage revealed a downed security guard.
Some people were “hitting security,” according to a witness who spoke to KABC-TV Channel 7. Another witness said she saw someone “on the floor bleeding.”
She compared the event to a riot.
