After fireworks thrown into crowd, ‘stampede,’ property damage at Memphis Putt-Putt Center

According to Memphis Commercial, A series of incidents at Golf and Games Family Park in Memphis led to a “stampede” and property damage, according to the Memphis Police Department. One teenager has been issued a juvenile court summons related to the incident.

According to MPD public information officer Lt. Karen Ruldoph, on Saturday, a crowd of 300-400 kids congregated in the parking lot of the Golf and Games on Summer Avenue, putting the business in violation of the occupancy limits put in place due to COVID-19.

At some point Saturday afternoon, an unknown individual “began throwing fireworks into the crowd causing a stampede.”

During the stampede, an MPD officer who had arrived at the scene observed a 13-year-old male pull plants out of flower pots and throw one of the plants at a black sedan parked in the parking lot. 

While the stampede occurred in the parking lot, a Golf and Games employee told patrons inside the complex — which has putt putt, batting cages, go-karts and other activities — the business was closing and refunds would not be issued.

“Complainant advised unknown suspects broke the plexiglass barriers in between the customers and employees,” according to Rudolph. “Complainant also advised suspects broke napkin dispensers and threw cash registers.”

While the complainant declined to file a report for the damages, the responding officer did file a memo, per department policy. 

The facility’s staff cleared up the debris as MPD officers cleared the parking lot. 

The 13-year-old male observed throwing plants was issued a juvenile summons for disorderly conduct, according to MPD.