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5 arrested after 'multiple fights between juveniles' at South Florida Fair

2 showed up at Wellington Regional Hospital claiming they were stabbed
wptv-south-florida-fairgrounds.jpg
Posted at 10:00 PM, Jan 21, 2024
and last updated 2024-01-22 08:51:42-05

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — After "multiple fights between juveniles" at the South Florida Fair on Saturday night, five were arrested and two claimed they were stabbed, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said Sunday night.

The fights occurred in "all directions of the midways" from 9 p.m. until the fair closed for the night at the South Florida Fairgrounds, sheriff's office spokeswoman Teri Barbera told WPTV on an inquiry.

"During this time, less lethal was used to fire into the large chaotic crowd of about 200 people that were hostile and unruly," she said.

Deputies from around the county were summoned to assist deputies on the scene.

Three minors are facing charges of trespassing after warning and resisting without violence; one man for trespassing and resisting without violence; and one minor for resisting arrest with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Two boys showed up at Wellington Regional Hospital claiming they were stabbed but both refused to pursue prosecution.

Anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian after 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

"They're not riding the rides. They're not doing the things they're supposed to be doing, so we want to keep it a family-friendly event," Vicki Chouris, president/CEO of the South Florida Fair, said on opening day.