A carnival in Lake in the Hills will remain shut down after very large crowds of youths gathered and fights broke out Saturday evening. Police say reports of a shooting were unfounded.
The Lake in the Hills Police Department responded around 6:28 p.m. Saturday to the Spring Carnival event in the 100 block of North Randall Road in Lake in the Hills.
Lake in the Hills Police Department Public Information Officer Amanda Schmitt said several 911 calls were received for numerous fights at the carnival and surrounding parking lot on the corner of Algonquin Road and Randall Road.
Lake in the Hills police officers responded to the scene and found very large crowds and fights.
“It was determined that it would be in the best interest for the safety of all attendees to shut down the carnival,” Schmitt said.
Lake in the Hills police officers along with officers from surrounding jurisdictions dispersed the crowds and worked to clear the area.
The Algonquin, Huntley and Crystal Lake police departments along with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office assisted.
No injuries have been reported to police related to the incident.
Schmitt said there is no information or evidence to corroborate the social media statements reporting shots fired or stabbings during the incident.
“As such, any social media statements regarding a shooting, shots fired, or stabbing as related to this incident is considered unfounded at this time,” Schmitt said.
The Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce and Lake in the Hills Police Department worked together and decided not to reopen the carnival on Sunday in the “interest of continued public safety.”
The Spring Carnival is hosted by Windy City Amusements and sponsored by the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce. The event began on Friday.
“The unexpected surge in attendance, fueled by the beautiful weather, unfortunately led to overcrowding,” the chamber of commerce said in a statement.
“Additionally, a significant number of unchaperoned teenagers, with intentions to disrupt and cause trouble, descended upon the Carnival and shopping centers in the area,” the statement said.
The chamber of commerce extended its apologies to nearby businesses that were impacted by the unruly individuals.