EUSTIS, Fla.—Social media posts and rumors about a fight at the City of Eustis annual Georgefest event Saturday night were exaggerated, according to Eustis Police Department Chief Craig Capri.
EPD officers broke up two minor fights Saturday night at the Georgefest carnival that involved several dozen teens, some who participated in the fights, and some who just watched. One juvenile arrest was made, Capri told Inside Lake Sunday morning.
The teen was arrested for battery, a misdemeanor. Misdemeanor juvenile arrests are not public record, so the teen’s name was not released. It is still an active investigation and more arrests are possible.
“At no time did we lose control (of the situation) and no weapons were involved,” Capri said.
Rumors that juveniles were overtaking rides and pushing fences down are simply not true, Capri said. “It was kids being kids and being stupid. Nobody was seriously injured. I think we did a good job controlling it, but we’re evaluating and making adjustments for next year.”
EPD had 80 calls for service in the entire city between midnight and 11:59 p.m. Saturday and that number includes traffic stops and tickets.
Around the same time the fights were taking place, an annual car show at the Lake County Fairgrounds hosted by Magic Boys ended and showgoers were at several gas stations in the city and the parking lot of Publix at Woodland Center. Law enforcement cleared the parking lots within two hours, Capri said. The Florida Highway Patrol worked the actual event and Capri said EPD did not receive any calls for service concerning the event other than noise complaints.