ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An annual Orange County community event meant to bring families together turned chaotic Saturday after what organizers described as a “teen takeover” promoted on social media.
The incident happened at the Emory Hamilton Sports Complex off East Colonial Drive during P-Day, a yearly gathering organized by Paul Josophat.
Video from the event shows multiple fights breaking out as large crowds of teenagers gathered at the park. Organizers and community leaders said the situation quickly became overwhelming.
“You see more kids, and then kids start jumping over the fence,” Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott said. “And that’s when we called the police because there wasn’t anything that we can handle or control.”
P-Day organizers said the event has traditionally been centered on bringing local families together.
“P-Day has been going on for nine years, like a community event to bring people together … one day just to bring everybody together. That’s what it’s about,” organizer Paul Josophat said.
Another organizer, Tuwanan Ware, said there were multiple fights happening at once.
“There is so many different fights; I really could not even remember how many fights outside of PD that began to happen,” Ware said. “It just became too overwhelming for the most part.”
[BELOW: Check out footage of the event shared by Commissioner Scott]
According to organizers, the original P-Day flyer advertised security and listed the event ending at 7 p.m. Organizers said a separate flyer later circulated online promoting a “teen takeover,” extending the event until 9 p.m. and featuring altered graphics.
News 6 reached out to the TikTok user whom organizers said helped spread the altered flyer but had not received a response as of Monday.
Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott said he wants to work with the local TikTok promoter who organizers said helped spread the altered flyer advertising the takeover.
“We can partner,” Scott said. “You want to do an event for teens? I’m all for supporting young people … but there’s a way to do things.”
Scott said he believes events geared toward teenagers can be successful if organizers, community leaders and law enforcement work together ahead of time.
The incident comes as similar teen takeover events have been reported across Central Florida and in other parts of the country, often organized through social media and drawing large crowds of teenagers to public spaces.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office officials told News 6 they understand many teenagers attending the gatherings are simply looking for places to spend time with friends. However, deputies said they are prepared to respond if situations become unsafe.
News 6 is still waiting for a response from the Orlando Police Department, which responded to Saturday’s incident.
Organizers said they plan to continue P-Day next year but with additional security measures in place.