Posted on July 18, 2024

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.

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