JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said officers broke up a crowd of hundreds of minors gathered for a “planned takeover event,” and one person was arrested for gun possession near the city’s Friendship Fountain Saturday night.

Police said the group consisted of roughly 600 to 700 minors, with some engaging in “problematic behavior.”

JSO said it learned of several planned “takeover” events on social media, which they claim organizers used multiple locations “in an attempt to be deceptive.” Ahead of the event, JSO issued warnings to the organizers and their parents asking them not to host the event, which was unpermitted.

Police said officers eventually dispersed the crowd, which grew “larger and more unruly,” nearing 10 p.m., when the Friendship Fountain closes. Police said some individuals were using drugs, fighting and even pepper-spraying each other.

As officers were attempting to disperse the crowd, police said a group of officers noticed a minor “reaching for his backpack.” Police said the minor fled the scene but was apprehended a short time later. The minor was arrested after police said officers located a firearm inside the backpack. 

JSO said officers blocked nearby roads, including access to the Main Street Bridge, in an attempt to prevent the group from relocating.

“We encourage all parents and guardians to speak with their children about safe and responsible activities,” JSO wrote on social media of the event. “These takeover-style gatherings are not only illegal, but they can also be extremely dangerous.”

JSO pointed to the city’s curfew ordinance, which requires parents or legal guardians to know the whereabouts and activities of their children under 18, and said the agency will continue to enforce local curfews to ensure public safety.

Under Jacksonville’s curfew, minors under the age of 18 cannot be out in public after 11 p.m. on weeknights or after midnight on weekends unless accompanied by an adult or participating in a permitted activity, including work.

Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith responded to the incident on social media, saying these “teen takeovers” often escalate to violence and destruction of property.

“A few weeks ago, it was occurring at the Orange Park Mall, this week it was at Friendship Fountain in downtown Jacksonville, and these events are regularly occurring throughout the country,” Smith wrote in a statement posted to Facebook. “We still must abide by constitutional protections for the juveniles involved, but in Florida we take decisive action ASAP.”

Hours before the so-called “takeover,” there was a planned “silent disco” event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Friendship Fountain, which offered free headphones to minors 17 and under. The event is scheduled for the last Saturday of every month and is promoted by the city’s park, recreation and community services department.