A Colorado teenager who was filmed leaping into the 22,000-gallon freshwater aquarium at Denver’s Bass Pro Shop was left hospitalized with a head injury and is also facing potential charges for the prank.
The unidentified 16-year-old boy jumped from a 30-foot-high ledge at the Denver store, located at the Shops at Northfield Stapleton, in an effort to mimic videos he had seen online.
According to CBS, as the boy landed, he “cracked his head” on a rock, and as a result, will potentially face charges.
Bass Pro Shops released the following statement about the incident:
“Yesterday, a teenage minor attempted to enter our aquarium as part of an intended prank. Our associates and security team quickly addressed the issue safely and without incident. We also appreciate the assistance of local law enforcement. Such occurrences are extremely rare and highly discouraged. We host more than 120 million visitors every year and provide a safe, fun experience for families who share our respect for wildlife.”
While the teen’s condition is currently unknown, he has been instructed to go to a Denver police station to speak with detectives. Furthermore, Bass Pro Shops was forced to bring in an animal care team to assess the health of the fish. A company spokesman said the aquatic animals were doing okay.
Via CBS:
Witnesses said the teen jumped into the tank while his friends recorded video inside the store near Interstate 270 and Quebec Street. The large signature tank in every Bass Pro Shops across the country have native fish that customers enjoy viewing.Teens have posted video on social media of others pulling the same prank at different stores in various states.
Bass Pro Shops released following statement:
“Yesterday a teenage minor attempted to enter our aquarium as part of an intended prank. Our associates and security team quickly addressed the issue safely and without incident. We also appreciate the assistance of local law enforcement. Such occurrences are extremely rare and highly discouraged. We host more than 120 million visitors every year and provide a safe, fun experience for families who share our respect for wildlife.”
There is no current word on the teen’s condition, however, Denver police initially said the teen could face charges if the aquarium or the fish living in it were damaged. Luckily for the teen, the aquarium was unharmed.
Jack Wlezien, a spokesman for Bass Pro Shops, said that incidents like this have happened before:
“It has happened in our locations before,” Wlezien said. “We have more than 100 locations and there’s been a handful over the years, but it is not something we see everyday. We have 120 million visitors in the stores every year, this is the first this year.”
“This is a teenager who made a mistake,” he said.
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