Mom Incites Riot Outside Skating Rink Over Daughter’s Canceled Party, Florida Cops Say
Mark Price, Miami Herald, July 12, 2024
A strip mall riot that ended in nearly 30 arrests was the doings of a single woman enraged over her daughter’s skate party being canceled, according to Florida investigators.
Stephanie Pedroso, 36, was arrested Wednesday, July 10, on charges of inciting a riot and unlawful use of a two-way communication device to “weaponize” rioters {snip}
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As many as 500 people participated, many of them responding to a social media call to “confront law enforcement,” according to investigators.
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Investigators say Pedroso called for violence after Astro Skate canceled an “after-hours birthday party” arranged for her daughter for May 18.
“In breach of the Astro Skate contract, (Pedroso) failed to secure the required off-duty deputies for the after-hours party,” officials said.
“Astro Skate canceled the reservation on May 17 (and) Pedroso was issued a refund. That’s when Pedroso used her daughter’s social media to make a live video encouraging friends to show up to inflict violence in the community, which included many of the businesses around Astro Skate.”
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The violence lasted nearly six hours and “led to one injury and five local businesses sustaining damage,” the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities say the rioting at Astro Skate in Brandon, FL last May was pre-meditated and racially motivated.
Astro wanted a woman to hire security guards for a birthday party, so she offered reward money to “tear this bitch up,” and “make the crackers work.”#hatecrime pic.twitter.com/PqnX3s5lpS
— National Conservative (@NatCon2022) July 14, 2024
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