A festive atmosphere turned chaotic at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia, on Saturday, March 3, 2024. What was intended as a celebration for the amusement park’s opening weekend ended in turmoil when a large, disorderly crowd led to a critical shooting incident involving a 15-year-old boy and police forces.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that the Cobb County Police Department (CCPD) was summoned to help manage a crowd, estimated at 600 people, near the park entrance following multiple altercations among departing visitors.
Subsequently, gunfire erupted from several individuals, resulting in damage to an unoccupied CCPD police vehicle. In response, law enforcement pursued the alleged gunmen into a wooded area. During the pursuit, an officer discharged his firearm, striking an individual identified as Syere Littlefield, age 15, from College Park, Georgia. He was critically injured and rushed to Grady Hospital.
Police recovered a handgun near where the suspect was injured.
The CCPD reports that Littlefield faces charges including aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault, illegal possession of a firearm in the act of committing a crime, possession of a firearm by a minor, and tampering with government property.
After the incident, Six Flags Over Georgia released a statement, highlighting: “We strive to offer a secure and enjoyable experience. Our park is equipped with cutting-edge security and metal detection technologies, boasts an extensive Public Safety Department, and receives substantial support from the Cobb County Police, who patrol both within and around our premises. All visitors must adhere to our stringent conduct guidelines, and those who do not are not welcome.”
The park also clarified that the shooting occurred on South Service Road, which is neither owned nor managed by Six Flags.
Of note, several altercations among visitors disrupted the park’s opening weekend in 2023, and many teenagers were expelled from the premises last year during the same period.
Over the past few years, numerous amusement parks in the U.S. have introduced measures targeting teenage visitors to prevent altercations and ensure the safety of all patrons.
Certain amusement parks mandate that visitors under 15 years of age must be accompanied by a guardian at least 21 years old. This rule applies to parks like Kings Island in Ohio, Great America in California, Carowinds in Charlotte, Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, and Knott’s Berry Farm in California.
Some parks advise that minors under 18 should visit with an adult. This recommendation is made by Cedar Point in Cleveland and Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon. Disneyland and Disneyworld have a policy requiring guests under 14 to be accompanied by someone 14 years old or older.
It appears that Six Flags Over Georgia has not implemented any specific chaperone policies.
Despite the violence of the preceding night, Six Flags’ park-goers like Barbara Goss, a season pass holder, remarked on a palpably different atmosphere on Sunday. With noticeably fewer crowds and several rides closed, Goss noted the day’s relative calmness.