Officials to tour juvenile facility where riot broke out

Riot believed to have started over basketball wager

AVON PARK, Fla. – Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters and Inspector General Robert Munson are planning to tour a juvenile detention facility in central Florida where a riot broke out over the weekend.

They're scheduled to visit Avon Park Youth Academy on Tuesday for a tour and assessment of the facility following the Saturday night incident.

Recommended Videos



The Ledger of Lakeland reports the Polk County Sheriff's Office and multiple agencies responded to with riot gear, tear gas and pepper spray.

They believe the riot started over a basketball game wager.

Eight youths were injured and 18 buildings were damaged.  No staffers were hurt.

According to its website, the facility is a 144-bed moderate-risk program for males in the juvenile justice system between the ages of 16 and 19-years-old.


Recommended Videos