'Out of control' beach party shuts down Texas City Dike Pier, police say

TEXAS CITY, Texas (KTRK) -- Police shut down the Texas City Dike Pier after a beach party promoted on social media got out of hand on Saturday.

Texas City police forced an emergency shutdown after calls of shots fired, multiple assaults, drugs, alcohol, and weapons violations.

According to Sergeant Allen Bjerke, the party was heavily promoted on social media but canceled by the group due to not having the proper permits. Because of the widespread promotion, partygoers continued to attend.

The biggest issue for law enforcement was cars pouring out into the nearby neighborhoods and partygoers packing a local convenience store parking lot. Police focused on getting the vehicles on the roadways out of town and off the pier.

At one point, the traffic was so thick that emergency vehicles could not access the beach. As a result, police chief Joe Stanton ordered a closure of the pier starting at 4 p.m.

The pier re-opened just after midnight when the roads were clear in time for the busy summer season and the Hall of Fame Fishing Tournament.