Six teenagers have been released without charges after they were arrested for fighting patrons and police at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, resulting in four officers being injured.
The Gurnee Police Department received reports of the fighting around 7:15 p.m. Monday at the theme park, located at 1 Great America Parkway in Gurnee.
Witnesses reported a fight started between two groups inside the park near the front gates.
The disturbance spread into the parking lot and officers responded, the police department said.
Officers, who were already stationed at the park, intervened to stop the large crowd fighting.
Initial attempts to disperse the crowd were unsuccessful, prompting a police officer to deploy pepper spray into the “disruptive crowd.”
Police officials said the fighting continued and the Gurnee Police Department requested assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies.
Officers from nearby agencies responded to the scene along with canine teams from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Gurnee, Waukegan and Zion police departments.
The additional law enforcement presence aided in dispersing the crowd, police officials said.
Six people were taken into custody for battering other patrons and police officers.
Officers arrested an 18-year-old from Zion; a 16-year-old from North Chicago; a 15-year-old from La Porte, Indiana; a 14-year-old from La Porte, Indiana; a 17-year-old from La Porte, Indiana; and a 17-year-old from La Porte, Indiana.
Three of the arrested subjects were transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center for minor injuries and released.
Four Gurnee police officers sustained minor injuries during the incident, police officials said.
Three officers received medical treatment at the theme park from the Gurnee Fire Department.
One of the Gurnee officers was transported to the hospital. The officer was released from the hospital the same evening.
Six Flags was shut down following the disturbance and large crowds went to nearby businesses where fighting continued.
Police officials initially said on Tuesday that charges were pending in the incident.
A spokesperson for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office told Lake and McHenry County Scanner Friday afternoon — four days following the disturbance — that all six suspects have not been charged.
Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor said Saturday that the investigation is still ongoing and charges are pending.