Police from multiple agencies responded to a large fight involving nearly 100 people at a sports complex in Mesa, Ariz., during a youth football event Sunday.
According to AZFamily, officers arrived at the Arizona Athletic Grounds after 1 p.m. to find nearly 100 people fighting on one of the fields.
In total, 37 Mesa, 22 Gilbert, eight Queen Creek officers, as well as three Maricopa County Sheriff deputies responded to the scene.
Police said that a fight broke out between two of the teams playing at the youth tournament, which then drew in parents and spectators.
A witness to the scene said it wasn't a rare occurrence.
“It’s not the first time. Most of the time, it’s usually just the parents to be honest. With the older kids... like my son is not in high school... but the high school kids are the ones that usually fight on the 7-on-7 tournaments,” he said.
All remaining games for the day were cancelled.
Red Zone elite, the organizers of the tournament, said the fight only involved a few people, not 100 like the police had said.
Red Zone Elite released the following statement:
Good afternoon coaches/families/players,
Your safety is a top priority for us at Red Zone Elite. Ensuring that the players, coaches and spectators feel safe watching respectful competition is highly important to us.
We apologize for the disappointment in the abrupt end to our tournament this afternoon, but we stand behind the Mesa Police Departments decision in response to the situation - to ensure the safety of everyone at the fields.
As of this time, we’d like to ensure everyone that no severe injuries to any players, coaches or spectators were made, and no weapons were used in the altercation or even brandished. The event was isolated to a handful of players from four specific teams, and a large crowd of other players, coaches and parents who were following them around antagonizing further as RZE staff, complex security and PD worked together to break up the crowds.
We are working closely with the police department to provide additional clarity.
As we continue to investigate the matters that escalated this afternoon again we ensure you that all parties involved will face consequences as we see fit, including being banned from all future Red Zone Elite tournaments, as well as other tournament host within our network!
Providing friendly, respectful and safe competition is our mission and we do not support violence, bulling or harassment in anyway. We do not take threats of any type lightly.
We appreciate you understanding the seriousness of the situation.
