Neighbors have mixed reactions after teens ‘riot’ at nearby behavioral health facility

TEXARKANA, Ark. (KTAL/KMSS) – Police provided more details Monday about the riot at a Texarkana hospital over the weekend.

Officers from the Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department (TAPD) responded to Riverview Behavioral Hospital around 9:30 a.m. Sunday after a call that several patients had rioted and taken over a section of the establishment.

“Officers heard the youths telling each other to try to catch up with them and disarm them once they entered the establishment so they could arm themselves more,” said Cpt. Zachary White with TAPD.

They also learned that some Riverview employees were trapped inside an observation island inside one of the indoor units. They established a perimeter with the help of other neighboring agencies and called on the miners to voluntarily come out of their barricaded positions.

“Several minors obeyed. However, one group continued to refuse officers’ lawful orders and continued to destroy property and throw objects at responding officers. said Cpt. Zachary White.

Officers equipped themselves with riot gear and attempted to apprehend the last remaining patients.

“A plan to enter the facility was carried out when officers deployed oleoresin capsicum spray through a broken window at the group of unruly juveniles. A juvenile continued to launch attacks on the door, preventing officers from entering safely. An out-of-state officer from another agency fired a single shot from a less-lethal device at this subject, allowing officers to enter the unit and secure the young rioters and release the faculty of trap inside. said Cpt. Zachary White.

Four of the patients were arrested, including two 15-year-old men and a 17-year-old man who were charged with felony inciting a riot and taken to a juvenile detention center in Arkansas. A 12-year-old female was also arrested and issued a juvenile felony citation before being released to the hospital.

No officers, staff or patients were seriously injured during the incident.

The following law enforcement agencies assisted in the incident: Arkansas State Police, Bowie County Sheriff’s Office, Fouke Police Department, Hooks Police Department, Bureau of the Miller County Sheriff, the Nash Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texarkana Police Department in Texas.

TAPD says they plan to work with Riverview Behavioral Hospital to prevent an incident like this from happening again. We contacted the hospital for a statement but did not get a response.

Neighbors react:

Riverview Behavioral Hospital is right next to several homes. Many residents were concerned to see such a massive police presence in their usually quiet neighborhood and were worried to hear what happened.

“I hear them outside all the time. I share a fence with them. I have lived here for five years. I’ve never had any problems with them. said Deven, a nearby resident.

TAPD says the public was not in danger.

“We had several agencies from surrounding areas maintaining a perimeter around the installation,” said Cpt. Zachary White. Any minors who might have escaped would have been quickly apprehended. »

Still, some residents were shaken by what happened.

“My grandparents live here, they’re elderly and they’re just trying to live their lives, and I really wouldn’t want anything to affect that here, especially because of how close they are. It’s literally just across the road. It’s accessible on foot. said Bretton, who was helping watch his grandparents’ house during the incident.

“It’s just a fence; jump from them to my house. So I will definitely be a little more careful in the future. Maybe keep the doors locked a little more,” Deven said.

For others, however, the incident did not affect their sense of security.

When Bobby, a resident who says his family has owned the land across the street from the hospital for nearly a century, was asked if he had any concerns after the incident, he replied: “Not at all.”

Tristen, another resident of the neighborhood, was not worried either: “I think everything will be fine in the future. So, you know, hope for the best.

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