TikTok Meetup Gone Wrong: Massive Youth Brawl Disrupts Menlo Park Mall

Over 300 teens flood shopping center, sparking chaos, arrests, and calls for parental accountability

May 20, 2025 | Edison, New Jersey — A social media-fueled “meetup” escalated into a large-scale brawl involving more than 300 teenagers at Menlo Park Mall on Saturday evening, triggering a massive police response and raising fresh concerns about the influence of platforms like TikTok and Instagram in organizing disruptive public gatherings.

The incident, which occurred on May 17, left one police officer injured and led to the arrests of seven juveniles. Authorities say the chaotic gathering was promoted on TikTok, drawing teenagers from outside the Edison area, many traveling nearly an hour to join the meetup.

Police: Brawl Erupted Within Minutes of Meetup

According to Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan, the disturbance began shortly after a social media influencer encouraged followers to gather at the mall. The crowd, largely composed of teenagers aged 15 to 17, quickly grew unruly.

“Within minutes, pushing, shoving, and fights were breaking out,” said Chief Bryan. “Our officers responded quickly, but the volume of people overwhelmed local resources.”

Police from nine neighboring towns and the New Jersey State Police were called in to assist. It took nearly 90 minutes to disperse the crowd and restore order.

Arrests and Injuries

• 7 juveniles were arrested on charges including disorderly conduct and resisting arrest

• 1 teen was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer

• None of those arrested were Edison residents

• All were later released to their parents or guardians

One Edison police officer suffered a fractured ankle while attempting to detain a suspect. No serious injuries were reported among the teens, and no weapons were recovered.

Mayor Slams Parents, Mall Management

Edison Mayor Sam Joshi condemned the incident and called for stronger parental oversight.

“What are the parents doing?” Joshi asked during a public statement. “Aren’t they aware their kids are traveling 45 minutes to cause disturbances in Edison?”

He also urged Simon Property Group, which owns and operates Menlo Park Mall, to “step up” and introduce clear protocols to prevent similar disruptions.

Social Media’s Influence Under Scrutiny

The meetup was initially promoted via a viral TikTok video, which garnered over 156,000 views, according to reports. Videos captured during the event show teens running, yelling, and clashing with law enforcement inside the mall. Many of the clips have since gone viral, further fueling the debate over how social media can unintentionally incite chaos.

This incident adds to a growing trend nationwide, where social media-organized gatherings spiral into public safety concerns. Law enforcement officials and community leaders are increasingly calling on tech platforms to take greater responsibility in monitoring such content.

What’s Next for Menlo Park Mall?

In the wake of the brawl, local officials are urging mall management to implement:

• Youth supervision policies during weekends and evenings

• Increased on-site security presence

• Collaboration with local police departments to monitor large gatherings

No official comment has been made by Simon Property Group as of publication.

Summary

A TikTok-promoted meetup turned into a massive brawl at Menlo Park Mall in Edison, NJ, involving over 300 teens. Police from multiple jurisdictions were called to contain the chaos, resulting in seven arrests and one officer injury. The incident has sparked debate over social media accountability and parental responsibility, while local leaders demand new security measures to prevent future disturbances.

Sources

• News 12 New Jersey

• ABC7 New York

• New York Post

• Men’s Journal