Hundreds Of Teens Mob Tinley Carnival, Police Cancel Event

TINLEY PARK, IL — Hundreds of teenagers responding to a call on social media flooded a Tinley Park carnival Saturday night, creating a confusing scene and panic among the crowds.

Tinley Park police Saturday night were debunking rumors of a gun or a shooting at the Armed Forces Weekend carnival, at the 80th Avenue Metra Station, after 400 teenagers "began running through the parking lot and fighting with each other," police said Sunday.

A police officer was injured trying to break up a fight and was treated and released from South Suburban Hospital later that evening. Police released most of the teenagers into the custody of their parents, but five were issued citations for fighting in public. No shots were fired during the incident, police said.

Police made the decision to cancel Sunday's carnival, after they discovered that another flash mob was being planned on social media for that day's event.