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'Panic and chaos' at Jennings beach lead Fairfield Police to cancel carnival

The incident involving large groups of unsupervised juveniles led to multiple fights and the separation of families before the event was officially shut down, police said.

Frank Recchia

Apr 25, 2026, 6:29 PM

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The Fairfield Police Department canceled the remainder of the three-day McKinley Elementary School Carnival Friday night following "panic, chaos and crowd surges" driven by false reports of gunfire, officials said.

The incident involving large groups of unsupervised juveniles led to multiple fights and the separation of families before the event was officially shut down, police said.

The decision was made "with the full support of the McKinley PTA," police said.

Fairfield Police said it took "every available resource" and help from Bridgeport Police and Connecticut State Police "to restore order and public safety".

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