Posted on 04/19/2026 3:51:21 PM PDT by fidelis
GASTON, S.C. — Several agencies assisted in shutting down a large event in Lexington County on Saturday night after several people were trampled by horses, and members of a large crowd reportedly threw beer cans at first responders.
Gaston Police Chief Stephen Watkins said police received reports of an emergency call around 8:30 p.m. Saturday to 491 S. Main St., where there were reports of people injured by horses at a rodeo event.
Officers arrived at the scene with Lexington County Emergency Services and the Lexington County Fire Service, where they found several people had been trampled by stampeding horses that were reportedly spooked by fireworks.
As emergency crews began attending to patients, Watkins said, a large crowd "became agitated" and threw beer cans at them. Watkins said at least six people were taken from the scene for treatment.
As police shut down the event, Watkins said, officers encountered people who were resisting arrest and others who were again throwing beer cans and other objects at officers.
The department called in assistance from police in Cayce, Springdale and Pine Ridge, as well as deputies from the Lexington County Sheriff's Department and troopers from the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Police made eight arrests for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Watkins estimated about 1,400 people were at the event that night.
I don’t know, one way or the other.
But I would not be surprised.
The cabellero subculture is widespread in the horse/rodeo community.
Mostly the best people you can meet. Just country people. Mexicans who can’t speak English but can sing Johnny Cash by heart. But there is a subset that is just closely adjacent to the drug trade. Especially if any horse racing is involved.
This is all I could find when checking for an update this morning.
“Rodeo turns chaotic as horses stampede”. Does a horse wizz where she pleases?
This came from WLTX (also Tegna). 12 News Arizona is a Tegna station.
This is the Sinclair news site:
https://wach.com/news/local/multiple-injured-six-arrested-after-fireworks-spark-horse-stampede
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