Booze, 'Exotic Dancers,' and Attempted Homicide: Here's One Graduation Party That Spiraled Out of Control

Graduation parties are usually mild affairs involving close family members and congratulatory cake.

But for one party in McKeesport, Pa., things were anything but mild.

Police are saying a chaotic party that ended in gunshots on Tuesday likely spun out of control when alcohol and "exotic dancers" were introduced into the mix.

“Two-hundred to 300 young people, fueled – police say – by alcohol and exotic dancers, spilled out of a Renzie Park pavilion Tuesday before midnight in no mood to go home,” CBS Pittsburgh reports.

Police say the adults who organized the party are now under investigation.

“They’re all screaming and acting crazy,” said park security custodian Jack O’Neil. “They’re peeling out of here speeding, going 60 miles an hour.”

Park custodian Jack O’Neil. (screen grab)

At first, there was only one McKeesport officer on the scene. He quickly called for backup to help him deal with the unruly crowd.

When reinforcements arrived, police say shots were fired into one of the cars.

“I’m walking down, I hear like 12 shots take place, and the car went crashing down through the senior citizen’s gate,” said O’Neil.

Responding officers soon set up a perimeter and swept the area, finding a handgun:

“They later discovered 21-year-old Brandon Murphy hiding some bushes. They’ve charged him with attempted homicide, reckless endangerment and aggravated assault,” the CBS report notes.

“A short time later, a young man showed up at UPMC McKeesport Hospital with gunshot wounds to the stomach and hands. He was flow by STAT Medivac helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, but his wounds are not life-threatening,” the report adds.

Chief Bryan Washowitz adds that police found alcohol and what he characterized as “suggestive female dancers” performing on the stage.

The stage. (screen grab)

“The chief tells KDKA’s Andy Sheehan that the organizers of the party are now under investigation and face potential charges of corrupting the morals of minors,” the report adds.

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Featured image screen grab.

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