Inset: Tavares McFadden-World (Richland County Sheriff’s Department). Background: The Chuck E. Cheese in South Carolina, where Tavares McFadden-World allegedly pulled a gun on three people and held a victim against their will (Google Maps).
In a startling incident last weekend, a teenager in South Carolina brought terror to a local Chuck E. Cheese by brandishing a gun and aiming it at a staff member and two others, while holding a man hostage. The alarming scene unfolded in front of shocked families and their children, according to police and eyewitnesses.
A father from the Midlands, who requested anonymity, shared his family’s ordeal with WACH, a local Fox affiliate, stating, “My kids can’t sleep now.” He described the emotional impact of the Saturday event, adding, “It was the only time I felt like crying because I saw pure fear in my babies’ eyes. They’ve never experienced anything like this before.”
The family had been enjoying a day out at the Columbia Chuck E. Cheese when the alleged assailant, 19-year-old Tavares McFadden-World, reportedly entered the venue with a firearm, threatening those inside. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department reported that the teenager threatened at least three individuals, including an employee, and held one person against their will.
The tense situation took a turn when another patron, who was armed, confronted McFadden-World, pointing a gun at him. This act of bravery led the teenager to flee the scene, but not before he allegedly dropped his weapon and scattered ammunition on the floor, as detailed by WACH.
“My wife felt utterly powerless,” the father recounted. “She clutched our daughters tightly, knowing she was helpless in that moment.”
“My wife felt powerless,” the father told the outlet. “She was just holding my girls tight and she knew there was nothing she could do.”
McFadden-World allegedly got into the car of another teenager, Kenzie Miller, after fleeing from the Chuck E. Cheese and left the scene. Police were called and started investigating the incident when the pair eventually returned and were detained without incident, the sheriff’s department reports.
The father who spoke to WACH said a lack of security measures at the children’s entertainment restaurant was partially to blame for what happened.
“They didn’t check anything, [McFadden-World] came in easily,” the dad said. “They had zero security.”
Chuck E. Cheese did not respond to Law&Crime’s requests for comment on Tuesday.
McFadden-World is facing charges of kidnapping, assault and battery, three counts of pointing and presenting a firearm, and tampering with evidence. The woman who picked him up, Kenzie Miller, is charged with obstruction of justice.
They were both booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. McFadden-World was being held on a $75,000 bond, while Miller’s status was unclear.
