JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. — In Williamsburg, people shared concern on Sunday after someone stabbed a man inside Busch Gardens over the weekend.
According to the James City County Police Department, a Busch Gardens employee called the police after a fight broke out inside the park.
When officers arrived just before 10 p.m., police said the group fled the area. However, police said while officers searched the area to gather evidence, an 18-year-old man approached officers at the park's entrance and shared that he had been stabbed.
Police said the man was taken to the hospital to treat his injuries. They said he is expected to recover, but the incident made people nervous.
"It is a little scary," said Oskar O'Neal, who said he visits the park often.
Others questioned safety at the park.
"I was literally there on Friday, and there were little kids running around everywhere. It doesn't seem safe," said park visitor Alaina Keller.
This latest incident marks the second fight at the theme park in September 2024. Earlier in the month, an altercation broke out during the amusement park's opening weekend for Howl-O-Scream.
Nevah Luckett planned to celebrate her 17th birthday at the park but changed her mind at the last minute.
"A lot of fights have been happening recently, and we feel like we can go, but sometimes it's like something in the back of my head is like, what if something happens? It's like, what are we going to do?" questioned Nevah.
Nevah's mom, Kim Luckett, said she no longer feels comfortable allowing her daughter and son to go to Busch Gardens alone unless she is with them.
Luckett and others are questioning security at the park.
"Like she [Nevah] was saying, how was he even able to get into the park with a knife? Because if he can get in the park with a knife, can someone get in there with a gun? I'm saying, can it get worse?" questioned Luckett.
"We want to protect our kids. It's [Busch Gardens], which is supposed to be a fun family place. It's not somewhere you're supposed to be going have to watch your back," said Luckett.
13News Now contacted the amusement park about its safety protocol but did not hear back before the story aired.
The amusement park's website states that weapons, glass bottles, cans, and other sharp objects are prohibited inside the park and that bags must be inspected before guests enter.