ARLINGTON, Texas — Six Flags Over Texas closed early Saturday due to a fight and the arrest of an 18-year-old man, officials said.
Kenderrick White of Fort Worth faces charges of fighting in public, evading arrest and resisting arrest.
An Arlington police officer was working off-duty at Six Flags when he saw White fighting with another person, Arlington police said.
When the officer tried to detain him, police said White ran away. The officer caught up to him later as he tried to break up another fight that White was involved in, police said.
White was taken into custody and booked at the Arlington City Jail.
Six Flags said the park was closed 30 minutes early.
"The safety of our guests and team members is always our top priority," Six Flags said in a statement. "After observing the improper behavior of some guests, the park was closed approximately 30 minutes early out of an abundance of caution. Both Six Flags security and the Arlington Police Department were present to clear the park in an orderly manner."
Arlington Police Deputy Chief Chris Cook said that it's unlawful to physically fight in a public place.
“The message to families and teens is hey, we want you to come out and have a great time, Six Flags wants you to have a great time, but we don’t want you to be disruptive,” Arlington Police Deputy Chief Chris Cook said. “We’re not going to tolerate that and I’m going to tell you right now, that our officers, this upcoming weekend, if they see people fighting, and it doesn’t have to be Six Flags, it can be off property, we’re going to make arrests."
There has been violence at Arlington's theme parks since reopened in June 2020.
In June 2021, a 16-year-old high school student was shot and killed at the parking lot of Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.
In March 2021, police said a fight had broken out between two teens in the parking lot and that one of them was shot in the arm.