Nearly 200 people arrested and two shot as hundreds of revelers hit the beach in their trucks for Texas' annual Go Topless Jeep weekend celebration despite social distancing orders
Nearly 200 people were arrested and two men were shot at the massive annual Go Topless Jeep Weekend celebration in Texas, where hundreds packed onto a beach in their pickup trucks for a day of drinking and partying.
Hundreds of Jeep vehicles and four-wheelers were gathered on Crystal Beach for the Jeep festival on Bolivar Peninsula, an annual event where Texans come out in their trucks, wave American and Confederate flags, and enjoy the sun and sand.
Hundreds of youngsters were seen ignoring social distancing orders as they piled into their trucks and swam in the water.
Overall 189 people were arrested and jailed over the weekend, a majority of the arrests being misdemeanor crimes, including driving while intoxicated, and traffic citations, Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said Monday according to 12NewsNow.
Two men were shot at the event when a man fired into a group of people just before midnight Saturday, the second day of the weekend event, following an altercation.
Overall 189 people were arrested and two were shot at Texas' Go Topless Jeep Weekend on Bolivar Peninsula this weekend. Vehicles adorned with flags, including a Confederate banner, pictured at the annual gathering at Crystal Beach on Saturday
Hundreds of Jeep vehicles and four-wheelers gathered on Crystal Beach for the Jeep festival on Bolivar Peninsula, an annual event where Texans come out in their trucks, wave American and Confederate flags, and enjoy the sun and sand
Hundreds of youngsters were seen ignoring social distancing orders as they piled into their trucks and swam in the water
Galveston County Sheriff's office boosted police presence this year after 129 people were arrested last year. A deputy pictured speaking to a group of people riding a Jeep on Sunday May 17 at Crystal Beach
The injured men were airlifted to the University of Texas Medical Branch for surgery on Sunday. Their condition is not immediately known.
'A group of men started fighting and it transferred over to females fighting,' Trochesset said. 'When the women were fighting, a husky male discharged a firearm.'
'No arrests were made following the shooting and the investigation is ongoing,' according to NBCDFW. There is no word on whether the shooter has been taken into custody.
The Galveston County Sheriff's Office boosted their police presence at the weekend event this year after 129 people were arrested and six hospitalized last year.
Police were notably not handing out citations for a lack of face coverings or failure to maintain social distancing.
'There is almost no way to deal with any six-foot rule,' Trochesset said. 'It’s almost impossible to enforce.'
The Galveston County Sheriff's Office boosted their police presence at the weekend event this year after 129 people were arrested and six hospitalized last year. Young people pictured partying at the weekend event on Saturday
Beachgoers pictured hanging out at the Go Topless Jeep Weekend event at Crystal Beach on Sunday
A parade of four-wheelers pictured making their way down Crystal Beach for the weekend event on Saturday
A corvette is pictured followed by a police vehicle during the annual Jeep Weekend gathering on Saturday
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas General Land Office reopened beaches on May 1 after coronavirus closures
The Sheriff's office added 70 extra deputy patrols to the beach for the weekend event. The Texas Department of Transportation also sent reinforcements of 30 additional state troopers
Overall in Texas there are over 48,600 cases of COVID-19 and 1,300 fatalities.
The Sheriff's office added 70 extra deputy patrols to the beach for the weekend event. The Texas Department of Transportation also sent reinforcements of 30 additional state troopers, according to Chron.
'We take precautions and of course, we’re safe but at the same time, we gotta live,' 46-year-old Joey Roy, who visited Crystal Beach over the weekend with his girlfriend Aloha Flake, said.
'This is our right. This is why we live here. This is why America is great.'
For some attendees, the overwhelming and wild crowds has deterred them from returning to the festival next year.
Two men were shot at the event when a man fired into a group of people just before midnight Saturday, the second day of the weekend event, following an altercation. Police pictured at Crystal Beach following shooting
The injured men were airlifted to the University of Texas Medical Branch for surgery on Sunday. Their condition is not immediately known
The scene of the shooting that took place around midnight Saturday pictured above
'I don't think I would ever wanna come down here during a Jeep weekend, where it's just uncontrolled and crazy. Because I've got a five-year-old daughter and my wife here,' attendee Jason Simpkins said to 12NewsNow. 'I don't think it's a place you would wanna bring a family.'
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas General Land Office reopened beaches on May 1 after coronavirus closures.
However, health experts are warning that opening the state up too soon could trigger a second wave of the virus.
Overall in Texas there are over 48,600 cases of COVID-19 and 1,300 fatalities.
