Mother incited riot at Brandon Astro Skate over canceled birthday party, HCSO says

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, in a news conference Thursday, announced the arrest of a woman who was accused of inciting the May 18 “riot” at Astro Skate in Brandon.

Stephanie Pedroso, 36, a mother who scheduled a birthday party for her daughter at the skating rink, was accused of encouraging people to gather at the business and create chaos after it was canceled.

Chronister said she was “willing to pay individuals to come down and riot and cause destruction.” In a video posted to social media, Pedroso said, “I hope everyone shows up to tear this b**** up tomorrow,” according to Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

Pedroso did not show up to the Astro Skate that night, Chronister said.

“We want your kids to want to come and have fun, not smoke weed, not fight, not call each other filthy names. We’d love to have you, and that’s what we’ve been doing for 43 years plus years,” owner of Astro Skate Chris Manganias said.

Warning: This video contains violent content that some readers might find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hundreds gathered outside the skating rink when the party was canceled due to lack of security, The business requires two off-duty HCSO deputies to staff large events.

“It wasn’t going to be your birthday, she posted that it was going to be a teen dance. She told us birthday party for a bunch of little kids. The flyers that she posted online was teen dance,” Manganias said.

One of the groups involved in the brawl broke off from the rest and ended up at a nearby barber shop. Video posted to social media showed the group beating and stomping on someone, who was later identified by HCSO as a 16-year-old boy.

He was thrown through a glass window, leaving him with a large gash on his hand. He was taken to the hospital.

Another group went to a nearby 7-Eleven store, according to HCSO, and causing $500 worth of damage. The group was also accused of stealing an unknown amount of merchandise from the store.

Those nearby businesses had to shut down due to the chaos, Chronister said.

The sheriff’s office ended up arresting 26 people – mostly minors – in connection to the brawl, which was captured on camera and sent a person to the hospital. Deputies spent six hours responding to the incident.

Pedroso was charged with inciting a riot, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and driving with a suspended or revoked license. She was released on bond from the Hillsborough County Jail on Thursday.

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