In Gloucester Township, New Jersey, a family event took a turn for the worse as police contend that numerous fights broke out, resulting in the arrest of nearly a dozen juveniles as young as 13 years old. The incident unfolded during the eagerly anticipated drone light show at Veterans Park on Saturday evening.

According to law enforcement officials, the situation escalated when an influx of juveniles, estimated to be over 500 in number, were dropped off by families who were waiting for the Gloucester Township Day's event to commence. As the evening progressed, groups of juveniles began fighting each other and running recklessly through the attending crowds, causing chaos and disorder.

In response to the escalating tension, the drone show was started earlier than scheduled due to the volatility of the situation. However, even after the show's conclusion, the fights continued for the next two hours. Police had to disperse the unruly crowds, who moved to the nearby shopping center across the street.

During the altercation, several juveniles reported being assaulted, with at least two requiring treatment for minor injuries at the scene. The situation further deteriorated as three officers attempting to break up the fights were injured. One officer was struck by a 33-year-old man riding his bike into a group of officers. The man was subsequently arrested for assaulting the officer and also charged with attempted escape after trying to slip out of his handcuffs during transport.

Law enforcement swiftly responded to the chaos, with a total of 11 arrests made, including two adult males identified as Ronald Jones and Kevin Coleman, and nine juveniles ranging in age from 13 to 17 years old. Most of the detained juveniles were not from Gloucester Township and had been transported to the event.

The tumultuous incident was finally brought under control shortly after 11 p.m., with a significant police presence consisting of around 70 Gloucester Township officers, as well as 30 mutual aid officers from Camden County and Deptford Township.

Expressing his disappointment with the events, Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins remarked, "The lawless groups of unsupervised juveniles and young people acting with total disregard for others, ruined a great family-oriented event which has taken place to raise funds for the Gloucester Township Scholarship Committee for over 40 years. This type of lawlessness and violent riotous behavior will not be tolerated and will not define the great community of Gloucester Township."

This incident follows a tumultuous weekend along the Jersey Shore, where unruly behavior by crowds of juveniles resulted in a teen being stabbed and one town declaring a state of emergency. Authorities are now working diligently to crack down on such incidents in an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals attending public events.