The annual Go Topless Jeep Weekend in Texas ended in chaos this weekend, after nearly 200 people were arrested. Two men were also shot in an altercation.
Hundreds piled on to the beach in their pickups for the event, which sees party-goers enjoy a day of drinking and partying - but things got a little out of hand.
Jeeps and four-by-fours were gathered on Crystal Beach on Bolivar Peninsula, where Texans showed off their American and Confederate flags, with many teens seen ignoring social distancing rules.
Following an altercation, two men were shot just before midnight on Saturday (16 May).
Advert
Altogether, 189 people were arrested, mostly from misdemeanor crimes, some of which included driving while intoxicated and traffic citations, according to Galveston County Sheriff Henry Tochesset, as reported by 12NewsNow.
One of the injured men was airlifted to the University of Texas Medical Branch on Sunday where he underwent surgery but his condition isn't known.
Trochesset said: "A group of men started fighting and it transferred over to females fighting. When the women were fighting, a husky male discharged a firearm."
Advert
Police boosted their presence at the event this year, following the arrest of 129 people last year, as well as six hospitalisations. And although The Galveston County Sheriff's Office sent more officers to the event this year, social distancing rules or the wearing of face masks due to coronavirus wasn't enforced.
Trochesset said: "There is almost no way to deal with any six-foot rule. It's almost impossible to enforce."
Residents at Crystal Beach started an online petition to end Jeep Weekend after last year's troubles, but it was still promoted and went ahead.
Beaches were reopened on 1 May by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas General Land Office after being closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Two of the attendees of the event were Joey Roy and his girlfriend Aloha Flake, who both visited Crystal Beach this past weekend.
Advert
Speaking to nbcdfw.com, 46-year-old Roy said: "We take precautions and of course, we're safe but at the same time, we gotta live.
"This is our right. This is why we live here. This is why America is great."
Featured Image Credit: PA