Pennsylvania carnival shut down due to 'unruly crowd of juveniles'; assault suspect sought

Police revoked a Pennsylvania carnival’s permit, shutting down the event after a crowd of juveniles became unruly last weekend and someone was assaulted. Now, they're trying to identify the people captured on film during the assault.

The Exton Spring Mall Carnival was set up in the south parking lot of Exton Square Mall, about 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia, according to the West Whiteland Township Police Department.

Police issued a series of alerts throughout the weekend about the carnival and the mall. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday night, they let the public know there would be plenty of police in the parking lot, where the carnival was held.

“A large number of juveniles created a disturbance, which created an unsafe environment for those attempting to enjoy this annual event,” the police wrote online. “The Carnival is CLOSED for the evening.  Please refrain from entering the area for your own safety.”

Just after 8:30 p.m. Saturday night, the West Whiteland Township Police Department announced that the fair was shut down for the night due to “an unruly crowd of juveniles.”

Police said they asked the owners to shut down the grounds for the night and had previously called officers from around the county to help due to how big the crowd was.

“We are actively investigating this incident,” police posted online, asking that anyone with video from the scene pass it along to them.

Police seek to ID people in assault captured on video

Police later shared a video on social media that they obtained from a business inside the mall. The video was captured after the carnival was shut down and shows a male with long hair come into the camera’s view. Afterwards, a group of people follows suit and people begin punching and kicking the male.

Authorities shared the video in hopes of identifying the victim, they said, and by Sunday afternoon, police had issued an alert saying the carnival had been shut down altogether. 

“The permit for the Good Time Amusements Carnival located in the outer lot of the Exton Square Mall has been revoked,” Sunday’s alert read. “The safety of all those attending is primary and foremost in the decision to cancel the carnival.”

The carnival was set to run from May 9 to May 18. According to social media posts from organizers, wristbands cost $35 per person. When police canceled the event, they directed customers to Good Time Amusements of Hellertown PA for refunds.

Once the carnival was shut down, Goodtime Amusements posted online to let people know.

“Due to out of control behavior and the unrest that transpired, the Exton Square Mall carnival is closed,” Goodtime Amusements wrote. “Indefinitely. We appreciate the families that came out to have fun.”

Regarding the assault captured on film, police ask that anyone with information or anyone who can identify someone in the video contact jmccloskey@westwhiteland.org.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her atsdmartin@usatoday.com.