What was meant to be a peaceful summer evening in Perry Square turned chaotic during a downtown movie night.

“We go to all the events down in Perry Square, and it's always very nice and very safe — except for last night,” said former teacher Jane Ross.

Ross described the night as initially calm and enjoyable. “But as it got darker, things took a turn. All of a sudden, there was a mob of children — and I mean middle school, high school kids — just everywhere.”

Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny confirmed that a group of 100 to 200 unsupervised youth upon the square.

“There were only two officers working, hired by the Erie Downtown Partnership to monitor these movie nights,” said Chief Dan Spizarny. “They were doing the best they could but trying to manage that many kids — it’s like herding cats. They simply couldn't contain it once things escalated.”

Eyewitnesses reported multiple fights breaking out on nearby State Street, catching both attendees and police by surprise.

“Everybody was like, ‘What’s going on?’ Then fights just started breaking out,” Ross recalled.

In response, the Erie Downtown Partnership issued a statement: “Violence of any kind will not be tolerated at any of our events. We will continue to work closely with police to proactively prevent situations like this from disrupting our events.”

The organization also emphasized that this incident was the exception, not the rule: “We host over 100 events each year in Perry Square. The movie nights, which make up six of those events annually, have taken place without incident since we launched the series in 2022.”

A meeting is now planned between the Erie Downtown Partnership, city police, and other community leaders to determine next steps for ensuring safety moving forward.

Drew Whiting with the Erie Downtown Development Corporation (EDDC) added: “We will not allow the disruptive actions of a few individuals to impede the continued facilitation of joyful gatherings downtown.”

Chief Spizarny urged the community to stay vigilant: “If you see or hear anything suspicious, please contact the police immediately.”

Authorities say they are actively investigating the incident and are committed to working with community partners to make sure downtown Erie remains a safe and welcoming place for all.