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A large Halloween crowd gathered at a BP gas station on Jefferson Avenue in Cincinnati’s Corryville neighborhood on October 31. The gas station owner’s son described the incident as a takeover after hundreds of people reportedly danced, climbed on gas pumps and scattered fake money around the property. The gathering occurred amid wider Halloween disturbances that left two Cincinnati police officers injured and resulted in 44 arrests citywide. The business owner’s family is calling for increased police presence and better communication with city officials.
A large Corryville Halloween crowd descended on a BP gas station near the University of Cincinnati on October 31, leaving employees worried about possible property damage and theft.
A member of the family that owns the business described the gathering as a takeover after hundreds of people filled the parking lot.
The incident happened at the BP gas station at 2606 Jefferson Ave. in Corryville, where videos posted on social media showed people dancing, climbing on gas pumps and throwing fake money around the property.
According to a report by WCPO 9 News, the gathering began with approximately 10 to 15 people before rapidly growing into a much larger crowd.
Rohan, the gas station owner’s son, was inside the closed convenience store with several other people when the gathering escalated.
He said the situation left him concerned that people might break into the store or take merchandise.
“They could have easily looted the store, came in and just took down the door,” Rohan told WCPO.
He described the scene as similar to a nightclub, with people dancing around the gas pumps and creating a disturbance throughout the property.
Signal 99, a local account that covers law enforcement and politics, posted on X that the police “battled to maintain control of huge crowds mixed with adults, college students and juveniles” from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Crowd reportedly gathered after disturbances near Short Vine Street
The gathering followed reports of disturbances and a large crowd in the Short Vine Street area earlier that night.
One attendee, Isaiah Fairbanks, told WCPO that he and his friends moved toward the BP station after people began running from the Short Vine area.
He said the crowd initially grew around a vehicle playing loud music, attracting more people to the location.
Police estimated that between 500 and 1,000 people had gathered near a Kroger store in the area. Authorities also reported fighting and fireworks, with 11 people arrested in Corryville during the Halloween disturbances.
The BP gathering reportedly lasted about 45 minutes before police cleared the area.
Rohan said he and others inside the store repeatedly attempted to contact police as the situation developed.
He also said police arrived approximately 10 to 15 minutes after the group reached the gas station, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Two Cincinnati police officers assaulted during Halloween disturbances
The gas station gathering was connected to a broader series of crowd disturbances that resulted in two Cincinnati police officers being injured.
According to Cincinnati police, officers responded to a disorderly crowd near Jefferson Avenue around 1:27 a.m. on November 1.
An individual assaulted two officers while they were detaining another person, police said.
Officers deployed a Taser and arrested a suspect in connection with the incident.
One officer was taken to the hospital and required stitches, while the second officer received treatment at the scene. Both were expected to recover.
Police also reported a separate gathering involving more than 2,000 people near West Corry Street shortly after the assault.
Citywide, Cincinnati police reported 44 arrests during Halloween night disturbances, including 11 in Corryville.
The incidents included a fatal shooting downtown, assaults, fireworks, a stabbing and other firearm-related investigations.
Gas station family calls for increased police presence
After the crowd dispersed, Rohan said employees spent approximately two to three hours cleaning the property.
He described finding trash scattered throughout the parking lot and said the incident forced employees to work additional hours.
The family has operated the gas station for approximately two years. Rohan said the business had experienced other problems, including theft and people bothering customers.
He called for increased police patrols, faster emergency responses and better communication between city officials and local businesses.
Cincinnati City Councilman Mark Jeffreys also condemned the gathering and the assault of the two police officers.
Jeffreys said he contacted city management to understand what happened and determine whether additional resources were necessary.
He expected Cincinnati police and city administration to provide an update to the Public Safety and Quality of Life Committee later in November.
The Halloween gathering has renewed concerns about public safety and large crowds around the University of Cincinnati, particularly in the Short Vine and Corryville areas.
FAQs
Where did the Halloween gas station gathering happen in Cincinnati?
The gathering took place at a BP gas station at 2606 Jefferson Ave. in Corryville, near the University of Cincinnati.
What happened during the Halloween gas station gathering?
Videos showed people dancing, climbing on gas pumps and throwing fake money around the property. The gas station owner’s son also reported concerns about people potentially forcing their way into the closed store.
How long did the crowd stay at the BP gas station?
The gathering lasted approximately 45 minutes before police dispersed the crowd, according to the gas station owner’s son.
