Three teenage suspects are currently facing riot charges after law enforcement officials responded to major fights at the Pentagon City Mall in Arlington, Virginia, on Saturday. The fights forced officials to close the mall while people evacuated from the building.
In a Sunday press release, the Arlington County Police Department noted that officers were dispatched at roughly 7:06 p.m. on Saturday to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, also called the Pentagon City Mall, following a report of “multiple fights” at the shopping center.
“Upon arrival, officers observed a very large crowd in the food court and numerous fights happening simultaneously,” the Arlington County Police Department said. “Additional officers were requested to assist with controlling the incident and restoring public safety. As additional officers began responding to the food court, the crowd remained disorderly and fights continued to occur, creating a danger to patrons and the officers on scene.”
The Arlington County Police Department explained that the mall was closed at the request of law enforcement officials and the public was evacuated from the shopping center.
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Sunday’s press release noted that the first suspect ignored the commands of police officers, pushed one of the officers, and resisted the officers’ attempts to detain her. While officials said the first suspect “continued to struggle,” she was ultimately taken into custody by multiple police officers.
The Arlington County Police Department said the second suspect in Saturday’s incident assaulted a store employee and assaulted mall security personnel and a police officer before being detained, while a third suspect assaulted a police officer and resisted arrest. Officials added that a knife was recovered after the third suspect was detained.
According to the press release, the responding police officers reported minor injuries, while a store employee and mall security personnel also reported minor injuries from Saturday’s incident. The press release also noted that two of the suspects received medical treatment for minor injuries.
A video shared on X, formerly Twitter, by Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, shows a massive number of police officers inside the Arlington mall as law enforcement officials apprehended the suspects.
Announcing the charges against the suspects involved in Saturday’s fights, the Arlington County Police Department said, “Suspect One, a 13-year-old female, was charged with Riot and Assault on Police. Suspect Two, a 15-year-old female, was charged with Assault on Police, Assault and Battery (x2), Injury to a Person in a Riot and Obstruction of Justice. Suspect Three, a 14-year-old male, was charged with Assault on Police, Riot While Carrying a Weapon and Trespassing.”
