On Saturday, March 3, 2024, a festive occasion turned into a scene of disorder and violence at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia. The amusement park’s opening weekend was marred by a critical shooting incident involving a 15-year-old boy and local police forces amidst a large and unruly crowd near the entrance to the park.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation revealed that the Cobb County Police Department (CCPD) was called to manage a crowd of about 600 people after several conflicts among exiting visitors.
Shortly after, gunfire ensued from several people, reportedly teenagers, causing damage to an empty CCPD police vehicle. In response, officers pursued the suspected shooters into a nearby forest. During the chase, an officer fired his weapon, hitting Syere Littlefield, a 15-year-old from College Park, Georgia. Littlefield was critically hurt and immediately taken to Grady Hospital.
A handgun was found near the location where the teen was injured, according to the police.
The CCPD has stated that Littlefield is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault, illegal possession of a firearm during a crime, possession of a firearm by a minor, and damaging government property.
In response to the incident, Six Flags Over Georgia issued a statement, underscoring their commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable environment. They mentioned their advanced security and metal detection equipment, robust Public Safety Department, and significant support from the Cobb County Police, who patrol both inside and around the park. The park emphasized its stringent conduct guidelines and declared that those who fail to adhere to these rules are not welcome.
The park clarified that the shooting took place on South Service Road, a location not owned or controlled by Six Flags.
It’s worth noting that the park’s opening weekend in 2023 was also disrupted by disputes among guests, leading to the expulsion of many teenagers during the same period last year.
In recent years, multiple U.S. amusement parks have adopted policies aimed at teenage visitors to prevent disturbances and ensure patron safety. Parks such as Kings Island in Ohio, Great America in California, Carowinds in Charlotte, Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, and Knott’s Berry Farm in California require visitors under 15 to be accompanied by a guardian who is at least 21 years old.
Other parks, like Cedar Point in Cleveland and Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, advise that those under 18 should visit with an adult. Disneyland and Disneyworld mandate that guests under 14 be accompanied by someone at least 14 years old.
However, Six Flags Over Georgia does not appear to have any specific guardian policies in place.
Despite the previous night’s violence, the atmosphere at Six Flags seemed significantly calmer on Sunday according to park-goer Barbara Goss, a season pass holder. She noted fewer crowds and several closed rides, contributing to a relatively peaceful day at the park.
