Aurora, Colorado police are investigating social media influencer Grady Ferrick in connection with an incident where an estimated 500 teenagers overwhelmed a shopping center on Sunday afternoon. The youths, many between 14 and 17 years old, gathered for an unpermitted sporting event before descending on the Hoffman Heights Shopping Centre, which houses a King Soopers supermarket and a Burger King.
Over 70 officers from the Aurora Police Department responded to the scene around 1:30 p.m. to disperse what they termed an “unlawful assembly.” Instead of leaving, the crowd reportedly flooded into the adjacent businesses. Videos posted to social media showed large groups inside the Burger King, with some individuals dancing on tables, one of which collapsed. The crowd also entered the grocery store, where merchandise was allegedly vandalized and aisles were raced through to evade employees.
"This crossed the line from a gathering of young people into a police matter because of the behavior and criminal conduct of some of those involved," Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain stated. "We will not tolerate groups taking over roadways, disrupting businesses, damaging property or stealing under the belief that being part of a large crowd provides anonymity. It does not."
No arrests were made at the time of the incident, and authorities are reviewing evidence, including videos, to identify individuals responsible for criminal activity. The extent of stolen items and vandalism costs have not yet been disclosed.
Chamberlain also emphasized the role of parents in preventing such incidents, urging guardians to be aware of their children's whereabouts and online invitations. "When hundreds of young people suddenly gather and behavior begins to escalate, the consequences can become serious very quickly," he said. "Police officers should not have to be pulled away from other community emergencies to manage behavior that could have been prevented."
The event appears to have been organized by Grady Ferrick, a 22-year-old content creator with over 362,000 Instagram followers. Ferrick, who previously played college basketball, was reportedly seen in the shopping center's parking lot, standing on a U-Haul truck and aboard a school bus. He is described as a self-employed content specialist with a background in photography and film.