Vicksburg police said Friday that eight people were charged in the aftermath of a group disturbance a week ago near the Kings Empowerment Center, a church-run community gathering place.

Two adults, a man and woman both 18, were charged Sunday morning with inciting a riot and disorderly conduct, Sgt. Sandra Williams said. Additionally, six juveniles, ages unavailable, were charged with either inciting a riot or disorderly conduct or both, she said.

The adults each posted $913 bond Sunday on the misdemeanor charges and were released from custody, Williams said.

Asked Tuesday about arrests in the case, Sgt. Randy Blake, who heads the juvenile division, said information would be available Thursday since Wednesday was a holiday, Veterans Day. Asked Thursday about arrests, Blake said there had been none. Information provided by the VPD watch commander Wednesday also indicated no arrests.

Williams said she had no information about why the arrests were not disclosed.

According to initial reports, the disturbance broke out late Saturday and police arrived on scene about 12:15 Sunday morning.

Two teens had been ejected from a party at the center for fighting about 10 minutes before the establishment closed at midnight when about 30 others were also asked to leave, Blake said.

Once in the parking lot, the group of adults and teenagers refused to leave despite requests of the facility manager, who called police to break up loitering.

When Officer L’Jamarro Peters arrived on the scene, he tried to break up what appeared to be another altercation near the building before being pelted with landscaping rocks, Blake said.

The front and rear driver side windows were broken and the city cruiser was dented.

A second car driven by another officer was not damaged because he had not yet left the vehicle and was able to back away.

The group then fled in all directions. Peters gave chase to Irene Street where a “melee” of about 20 broke out, Blake said. When Peters tried to get control of the situation and talk the group into going back to the center for questioning, he was struck with a baseball bat.

Blake said Peters was not injured.

Initially, about 15 teens were taken to police headquarters after more offers responded to the scene early Sunday morning. The juveniles were later released to their parents.

Vicksburg officials handed over the community center’s deed to the Triumph M.B. Church in July 2008, about two years after transferring the former county elementary school to the church on a two-year lease at a $1 per year.

Churches had used the building for programs. The city operated the center, formerly Kings Elementary, after the school closed and used it for youth programs. The city spent millions refurbishing and expanding the space before cutting its budget from $258,200 to $149,580 in 2005.

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Contact Tish Butts at tbutts@vicksburgpost.com