In a shocking event last weekend, a teenager in South Carolina caused panic at a Chuck E. Cheese by brandishing a gun and targeting a staff member and two others, while also holding a man hostage. The distressing scene unfolded before startled children and their parents, according to both police and eyewitnesses.

One father from the Midlands, who wished to remain unnamed, shared his family’s trauma with local Fox affiliate WACH. “My kids can’t sleep now,” he lamented about the frightening experience on Saturday.

Recalling the incident, the father expressed deep emotion. “It was the first time I felt like crying because when I looked at my children, I saw sheer terror in their eyes,” he said. “They had never faced anything like that before.”

During the incident, the man was enjoying a family outing at the Columbia Chuck E. Cheese when 19-year-old Tavares McFadden-World allegedly entered the venue with a firearm, threatening patrons and staff.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department reported that at least three individuals were threatened, including an employee, with one person being held against their will. The situation escalated until another individual inside the establishment drew their own weapon and confronted McFadden-World. This response caused him to flee, but not before he reportedly dropped his gun and scattered bullets, according to WACH.

“My wife felt powerless,” the father told the outlet. “She was just holding my girls tight and she knew there was nothing she could do.”

McFadden-World allegedly got into the car of another teenager, Kenzie Miller, after fleeing from the Chuck E. Cheese and left the scene. Police were called and started investigating the incident when the pair eventually returned and were detained without incident, the sheriff’s department reports.

The father who spoke to WACH said a lack of security measures at the children’s entertainment restaurant was partially to blame for what happened.

“They didn’t check anything, [McFadden-World] came in easily,” the dad said. “They had zero security.”

Chuck E. Cheese did not respond to Law&Crime’s requests for comment on Tuesday.

McFadden-World is facing charges of kidnapping, assault and battery, three counts of pointing and presenting a firearm, and tampering with evidence. The woman who picked him up, Kenzie Miller, is charged with obstruction of justice.

They were both booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. McFadden-World was being held on a $75,000 bond, while Miller’s status was unclear.