AURORA | Aurora police are investigating an apparent teen takeover of about 500 teenagers at the Hoffman Heights Shopping Center on Sunday that led to viral social media videos of crowds running through and disrupting local businesses.

Around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, more than 70 police personnel responded to the shopping center to disperse the crowd, according to an Aurora Police Department social media post. As the officers were managing the crowd, groups ran through nearby businesses, including some people who vandalized property and stole merchandise.

Videos of teens running through King Soopers and standing on tables in Burger King went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms. 

The growing phenomenon of the so-called takeovers, prompted by social media “flyers” have been reported in cities across the country.

Investigators are reviewing videos and evidence to identify those responsible for criminal activity. No arrests or summons have yet been made and police did not yet have an estimate for damaged and stolen property. One person received minor injuries from a fight that was unrelated to the vandalism and theft.

“This crossed the line from a gathering of young people into a police matter because of the behavior and criminal conduct of some of those involved,” Chief Todd Chamberlain said in the post. “We will not tolerate groups taking over roadways, disrupting businesses, damaging property or stealing under the belief that being part of a large crowd provides anonymity. It does not.” 

Police said the group was mostly made up of 14 to 17 year olds and Chamberlain urged parents to “know where your children are, who they are with and what they are being invited to through social media.”

Police say they believe the gathering was prompted by a promotional event for a social media influencer and they were not aware of the event before it happened. Viral TikToks from the gathering link to the streamers Quincy Helsel and Khan Asadi.

On Sunday, Helsel held a community event to give away free haircuts and school supplies, which then seemingly grew into the teen takeover, based on his social media posts.

Police spokesperson Katie Fisher said the department didn’t publicly communicate about the event until Monday because they were still collecting “enough information to provide to the community about what happened, how we responded, and what next steps were.” 

“The community deserved to have answers to questions and connecting everyone to make sure those answers were available up front was important,” Fisher said in an email.

Police are asking businesses and community members who have information related to the gathering to share it with Denver Metro CrimeStoppers at 720-913-7867. Tips can be anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

According to the Associated Press, teen takeovers, which are often promoted on social media, have become a recent national trend, leading to shootings, vandalism and theft in some cases. Other communities that have had teen takeovers, like Detroit and Chicago, seek to identify organizers, fine parents of those involved and impose curfews.

Teens told AP that the gatherings have happened in response to the closure of spaces for youth and businesses like malls and movie theaters imposing group limits.

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