Neighbors offer mixed reactions after teens ‘riot’ at Texarkana behavioral health facility

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

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

“Officers heard the juveniles telling one another to attempt to overtake and disarm officers once they enter the facility so they could further arm themselves,” said Cpt. Zachary White with TAPD.

They also learned that some Riverview staff were trapped inside an observation island inside one of the interior units. They set up a perimeter with the help of other nearby agencies and called for the juveniles to come out of their barricaded positions voluntarily.

“Several juveniles complied. However, a group continued to refuse lawful orders from officers and continue to destroy property and throw items 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 acted upon officers deployed oleoresin capsicum spray through a broken door window at the unruly group of juveniles. One juvenile continued to hurl assaults at the doorway, preventing officers from safely entering. An officer from another state from another agency deployed a single shot from a less lethal device on this subject, allowing officers to push into the unit and secure the rioting juveniles and freed the trap faculty inside.” said Cpt. Zachary White.

Four of the patients were arrested, including two 15-year-old males and a 17-year-old male who were charged with felony inciting a riot and taken to a juvenile detention facility in Arkansas. A 12-year-old female was also arrested and received a felony juvenile citation before being released back into the hospital’s custody.

No officers, staff, or patients suffered major injuries in the incident.

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

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 :

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

“I hear them outside all the time. I share a fence line with them. I’ve been living here for five years. I’ve never had any issues with them.” says Deven, a nearby resident.

TAPD says the public was not in danger.

“We had several agencies from surrounding areas who maintained a perimeter around the facility,” said Cpt. Zachary White. Any juveniles who would have been able to escape would have been quickly apprehended.”

Still, some residents were shaken by what happened.

“My grandparents live here, and they’re elderly, and they’re really just trying to live their life, and I really wouldn’t want anything to affect that over here, especially how close they are. It’s literally right across the road. It’s walking distance.” said Bretton, who was helping watch his grandparent’s house during the incident.

“It’s just a fence; hop from them to my house. So I’m definitely going to be a little more cautious going forward. Maybe keep the doors locked a little more,” said Deven.

For others, however, this incident has not affected their sense of safety.

When Bobby, a resident who says his family has owned the plot of land across the street from the hospital for nearly a century, was asked if he had any concerns after the incident, he responded, “Not a bit in the world.”

Tristen, another nearby resident, was also not concerned: “I think everything’s going to be all right moving forward. So just, you know, hope for the best.”

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