Chaos engulfs Florida town when massive pop-up party blocks multiple roads, cops say

UPDATE: On Aug. 8, 2023, a 23-year-old Gainesville woman was charged with inciting or encouraging a riot for her role in organizing the “pop-up party” via Facebook, the Union County Sheriff’s Office said. The charge is a third-degree felony.

The original story is below.

A pop-up party in North Florida grew so large, chaotic and violent that deputies resorted to chemical agents as a means of clearing blocked streets, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

One person was wounded when gunfire erupted and several were arrested, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

It happened around 4 p.m. Saturday, June 3, in Lake Butler, when hundreds people showed up at Lakeside Park for a “pop-up party” promoted on social media. Lake Butler is about 50 miles southwest of Jacksonville.

Investigators say the party began with more than 500 people and grew larger by the minute as the “majority of them were (actively) drinking with drugs involved.” Lakeside Park does not permit consumption of alcohol.

“We received numerous complaints from citizens of loud noise (music) and large gatherings. At authority of the City Commission we authorized Lakeside Park to close immediately due to the large unruly crowds, traffic control issues and violation of numerous laws,” the sheriff’s office said.

“As the crowd started to disperse Lakeside park, this same crowd relocated to numerous locations to include Laredos, Fastrak, McDonald’s, Spires, Circle K, Westside Park, Main Street, etc. Crowds grew to over 1,000 out-of-county individuals causing disturbances and blocking roads, resisting law enforcement and refusing lawful orders.”

Chemical agents were then deployed to disperse the crowds and people accused of not obeying law enforcement. Eight people have been arrested and charged with crimes ranging from resisting law enforcement without violence to with aggravated assault with a vehicle on law enforcement, officials said.

Among the suspects is Troy Carter Goodman II, 18, was is accused of shooting into the crowd at Lakeside Park. He was arrested June 8 and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon resulting in serious bodily injuries, officials said.

One person in the crowd was struck by gunshots and suffered non life-threatenening injuries, officials said. Investigators say the victim was specifically targeted.

“Investigation is continuing to identify the individuals initiating this pop-up party in our county,” the sheriff’s office said.

This story was originally published June 5, 2023 at 8:03 AM with the headline "Chaos engulfs Florida town when massive pop-up party blocks multiple roads, cops say."