Denver police are raising concerns after a social media-promoted “takeover” event brought an estimated 300 teenagers to the Shops at Northfield on Sunday evening, turning a popular retail center into a scene of disruption. The Denver Police Department responded to the shopping area near I-70 and Central Park Boulevard around 6 p.m., where they encountered hundreds of juveniles crowding stores, getting into fights, and causing general disturbances.
According to police, the event appeared to be organized and shared across several social media platforms, drawing large numbers of teens from across the city. While most participants were not violent, authorities said some engaged in altercations inside businesses and became confrontational with officers after the crowd was asked to disperse. Several of the teens reportedly regrouped nearby and continued provoking officers near Central Park Boulevard and 46th Avenue.
Despite the chaos, no arrests were made and no significant property damage was reported. However, police did take a theft report involving two items stolen from one of the shops. The incident highlights growing concerns over youth-organized flash mob-style meetups that start online and spill into public spaces, often overwhelming security and disrupting businesses.
Police say they are continuing to monitor social media channels for future events and are urging parents to stay involved in their children’s digital activity. Businesses at Northfield remained open, though some owners expressed frustration over the incident and hope for increased security during future weekends.
