SEAGOVILLE, Texas — Police say thousands of people were in attendance of a concert at the La Pulga flea market in Seagoville when numerous disturbances and fights erupted in the crowd — ultimately leading to a "riot outbreak."
SEAGOVILLE, Texas — Police say thousands of people were in attendance of a concert at the La Pulga flea market in Seagoville when numerous disturbances and fights erupted in the crowd — ultimately leading to a "riot outbreak."
Police are also searching for a man who escaped custody while efforts were underway to quell the disturbances.
Additionally, police are investigating social media reports a 17-year-old had been killed during the disturbances, though police say they have "not been notified, nor received any formal reports of any deaths of any individuals that occurred at this event."
The incident occurred on Sunday, March 25, 2023, at the Seagoville Trade Days flea market, commonly referred to and advertised as La Pulga de Seagoville.
The market was promoting a special concert event, headlining Latin record artist Lalo Mora on Sunday evening. In attendance, police say, were several thousand people.
"Near the end of this concert on Sunday evening, large fights broke out simultaneously within the concert venue area. Seagoville Police Officers inside the concert area immediately reacted and attempted to quell these disturbances. This quickly turned into a riot situation. Patrons commenced to throw bottles and cans amongst the crowd," read a statement from the Seagoville Police Department today.
"A Seagoville Police Officer was engaged with a combative aggressor when he was struck in the head with a thrown can. Other officers assisted in the apprehension of this aggressor and he was handcuffed and placed under arrest. He was escorted to and placed in the rear of a nearby marked Seagoville Police vehicle just outside of this event area."
Onsite police officers attempted to intervene with the ongoing riot and numerous fights — ultimately calling for an agency assist from the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office. Additional police officers from the Seagoville Police Department, Crandall Police Department, Kaufman County sheriff's deputies, and the Texas Department of Public Safety responded.
The performing band was forced to stop and clear the stage for safety as fighting continued with bottles and cans being hurled by the crowd. Police say fighting continued into the parking lot as patrons cleared the concert venue.
"People were leaving the flea market in masses," continued the statement from the department. "During this time of chaos, it was found the handcuffed arrested individual escaped from the rear of the police vehicle."
A TikTok video of individuals assisting the arrested individual, as well as reshared reels of the video, have garnered over 1 million views on the platform.
"The Seagoville Police Department is aware of social media postings on the platform Tik Tok that documents individuals assisting and facilitating the escape of this arrested person," stated the department. "This is currently being investigated."
Posts on TikTok also allege a 17-year-old was killed during the fights at the flea market. In total, those posts have garnered themselves over 100,000 views though police say they have yet to confirm their validity.
"The Seagoville Police Department is also aware of a social media post that is circulating alleging a 17-year-old male was killed at the flea market as a result of these fights," stated the department. "At this time, the Seagoville Police Department has not been notified, nor received any formal reports of any deaths of any individuals that occurred at this event."
Anyone with information on the escapee, allegations of the death, or other information regarding the incident are asked to call the Seagoville Police Department at (972) 287-2999.
GRAPHIC WARNING: Some viewers may find the below videos to be disturbing and contain language which may not be suitable to younger audiences. The TikTok video referenced above is seen below. The Facebook video, as screenshot above, is only viewable on Facebook, see link below in Facebook embed window.
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