***UPDATE***
Peoria Police have provided an update on the incident.
Northwoods Mall security called Peoria Police at 5:42 P.M. for help breaking up a group of juveniles who they said were loitering and engaging in disruptive behavior.
When police got to the mall, the juveniles were being escorted out. Upon their dismissal from the mall to the parking lot near the food court, they began scuffling with one another.
Simultaneously, a fight among females broke out near Lane Bryant. Officers split up to try and contain both fights.
As the fights were broken up, a third group of people arrived and started acting chaotically, causing the mall to close for around 15 minutes.
Video footage shows the series of events began with a group of 30 juveniles arguing with one another, with around 10 of them actually engaging in physical fighting.
In all, four juveniles were detained, one was arrested and released to their parents. One minor injury was reported.
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PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria Police were called to the Northwoods Mall Saturday night on reports of a massive fight that had broken out.
Reports indicate that pepper balls were used by police to break up the fight.
Demario Boone, Chief of Peoria Public Schools Police staff, said there were 100-150 juveniles involved in the brawl.
“This is definitely a community issue that needs to be addressed,” said Boone in a Facebook post about the fight. “I’m telling you from what I saw, Peoria Police exercised SO much restraint in the midst of this.”
At this time, Peoria Police have not released more information on the brawl.
