CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) -
For over a century, the Cleveland St. Patrick's Day parade has been a family favorite. But lately, what should be some good wholesome fun seems to have gotten out of hand.
"Some people told us we were crazy to bring our kids down here," said one parent.
Drunk people arrested and some in need of medical attention. Many report fights breaking out and worse, dozens scattered because they heard gunfire at Tower City.
Travis Tomlinson says he heard it, "We heard a shot or at least it sounded like shot. We turned around and saw everybody near public square scattering and running across the street, and within probably about 30 seconds there was 10 cop cars that had swarmed the entire area."
Tower City management denies there was ever any shots fired but we've learned shell casings were found outside on Public Square.
The crowds were too much inside Tower City and a mob started running through the building. Witnesses tell us security guards used pepper spray to try to control the crowd.
With all the chaos Sunday, 29 people were hauled to jail including five juveniles. There were 29 ambulance calls with 16 people being taken to hospitals.
We've learned just after the parade a group of young thugs jumped some other guys. Police chased down the attackers but the victims wanted to let it go.
What happened this year brought back some frightening memories from St. Patrick's Day just two years before.
Another riot like atmosphere broke out after the parade. There were 35 arrests made that day and just like this year some were left saying they weren't sure this was a family friendly event anymore.
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Scene outside Tower City
