Riot erupts at Texarkana's Riverview Behavioral Health

A riot erupted Sunday (Oct. 13) at the juvenile facility at Riverview Behavioral Health in Texarkana, Ark.

Riverview Behavioral Health on Arkansas Boulevard is a psychiatric hospital specializing in mental healthcare for adolescents and adults in the Texarkana, Ark. area.

It was about 9:30 a.m. when the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department (TAPD) received a 911 call to Riverview Behavioral Health stating there were several unruly patients that had started a riot and had taken control of a section of the hospital.

"Dispatch was advised the patients had gained control of a piece of metal and were using it to break out interior windows in an apparent effort to escape the facility," police said.

Twenty-three to 25 juveniles reportedly were involved in the disturbance.

Once officers arrived at the hospital, it was learned that several staff members were trapped in a nurse's station and were surrounded by unruly juvenile patients.

Three boys — two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old — were taken into custody on a charge of inciting a riot and were to be taken to a juvenile detention center. A 12-year-old girl was also arrested. The remaining juveniles involved in the riot were remanded back into the custody of Riverview Behavioral Health.

Texarkana, Ark. police were assisted by personnel from Arkansas State Police, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Bowie County and Miller County sheriff's offices, and the Fouke, Hooks, Nash, and Texarkana, Texas police departments.

No injuries were reported.

Found on Mainstream News