A massive beach party in New Jersey quickly turned into chaos over the weekend as high school seniors gathered to celebrate what’s known as “Senior Cut Day.”
The event, which started as a fun way for students to enjoy their time off, ended with a large police response due to multiple fights breaking out and the crowd growing out of control.
The incident happened at Long Branch Beach in New Jersey on Friday, where hundreds of students came together for a day of celebration.
“Senior Cut Day” is a long-standing, unofficial tradition where high school seniors skip school near the end of the year to enjoy a day out, usually at the beach. But this time, things took a dangerous turn.
As the crowd continued to grow, fights began to break out among groups of students. The situation became tense and violent, forcing police to swarm the area to try and restore order. According to local reports, law enforcement had to use significant resources to control the large and rowdy crowd.
Videos posted on social media showed large groups of teens running, pushing, and even fighting on the sand. In one clip, people can be seen screaming and scrambling as tensions escalate. Witnesses reported seeing multiple fights erupt within minutes, with some students even throwing bottles and other objects.
Long Branch Police, along with officers from other nearby areas, quickly arrived on the scene. Police vehicles lined the roads, and officers were seen entering the crowd to break up the fights and clear the beach. Helicopters were also spotted circling above the area as the crowd began to disperse.
According to police, the gathering was not officially organized or approved. It appears that word about the party spread through social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, where students across the state were encouraged to join in.
City officials expressed concern about the growing trend of large, unregulated events being promoted online. “This wasn’t a permitted event. We didn’t know this was going to happen, and when it did, it got out of hand fast,” said one local city spokesperson.
Authorities did not immediately confirm how many people were arrested or injured, but they noted that the response required a significant number of officers to manage the crowd safely. Emergency services remained on standby in case of medical issues, but no major injuries have been reported so far.
Parents in the community have also raised concerns. Many say they weren’t even aware their children were attending such a large event. Some are calling on schools and local authorities to spread more awareness about the risks associated with unofficial gatherings like Senior Cut Day.
“It’s one thing for kids to have fun and enjoy their final year, but it should be safe and respectful,” said one parent who asked to remain anonymous. “What happened on that beach could have easily ended in serious harm.”
Despite the chaos, many students claimed they had no intention of causing trouble. “It was supposed to be a good time,” said one high school senior. “But once people started fighting, it just ruined everything.”
Local police have promised to review the situation and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. Officials said they are also looking into whether any charges will be filed against individuals involved in the violence or in promoting the event online.
For now, the beach is back to normal, but the memory of Friday’s incident still lingers. Residents hope that future gatherings, if they happen, will be better planned and more closely monitored to ensure safety for everyone involved.