POWELL — No arrests were made on Saturday following reports of fighting at the Zoombezi Bay water park on Saturday.
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 5:31 p.m. on June 13, stating that approximately 15-20 people were fighting in the water park’s lazy river.
Nicolle Racey, vice president of communications and marketing for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, including Zoombezi Bay, said a group of guests was “observed engaging in inappropriate roughhousing and running throughout the waterpark, creating safety concerns for other guests in and around several attractions.”
Racey told Delaware Source, “our team addressed the behavior and asked approximately 10 individuals (ages 17 to 19) to leave the waterpark.
“When they refused to comply, law enforcement assisted in escorting them from the property,” she said. “No arrests were made, and no charges were filed.”
The sheriff’s office confirmed that no arrests were made, but told members of the media that officers gave trespass warnings to three juveniles and two adults “for several years.”
Five sheriff’s office deputies and one Powell police officer responded to the incident. At the time of publication, the sheriff’s office is not sure what caused the incident.
“The safety and enjoyment of our guests remain our top priority, and we appreciate the cooperation of those who helped ensure a safe environment for everyone,” Racey said.
This isn’t the first time the sheriff’s office has responded to an incident at the Columbus Zoo property this summer. The zoo was forced to close on May 2 and 5 after receiving “swatting” threats.
Both threats, which occurred May 2 and May 5, were ultimately cleared, according to a joint statement from the zoo and sheriff’s office. No guests, employees or animals were harmed.
A statement from the zoo said they would reopen with “an increased law enforcement presence,” and noted the sheriff’s office is reviewing protocols for best practices regarding the zoo property.
