Newbury Comics Faces $50 Fine After Last Week's Riot

Police say didn't have an entertainment license and failed to regulate rooftop access, following a riot that broke out last Thursday during an autograph signing by rap artist Tyler, the Creator.

The store faces a $50 fine, which is the penalty for violating the city ordinance.

Entertainment licences vary depending on the event and number of people, and in this case police should have been notified of the projected crowd, media spokesman Elaine Driscoll said.

During what turned into a mob scene, a 13-year-old girl was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after refusing to come down from a light pole, and an officer slipped and hurt his back. He was taken to the hospital and later released.

It's been reported the riot started when people showed up for the signing and were told they had to get wristbands earlier in the day to get autographs.

Police responded at 4:15 p.m. to a crowd of about 350 causing a disturbance, and decided to close the store an cancel the event out of a concern for public safety, according to the report.

In the future, Driscoll said, if establishments are anticipating a large crowd, it's important to let police know.