The city of Los Angeles on Friday filed criminal charges against TikTok stars Bryce Hall and Blake Gray for allegedly throwing house parties during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hall, 21, and Gray, 19, were charged with violating the “Safer LA” emergency order issued during the outbreak, as well as a party house ordinance that forbids “loud and unruly gatherings,” according to the complaint filed by Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer on Friday.
Feuer said in a statement that hundreds of people were attending parties at the Hollywood Hills home that Hall and Gray are renting. Cars allegedly blocked access for emergency vehicles and loud music blared throughout the neighborhood, “(hijacking) the quality of life of neighborhood nearby.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“As if that weren’t enough, the hosts are incredibly irresponsible, with COVID-19 spreading and parties banned because of it. We’ve got to put a stop to it,” said Feuer. “If you have a combined 19-million followers on TikTok during this health crisis, you should be modeling good behavior — not brazenly violating the law and posting videos about it, as we allege.”
The two social media stars face charges of up to one year in jail and up to $2,000 in fines.
Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to a call at the home on Aug. 8 and they were issued a citation, according to the complaint.
Less than a week later on Aug. 14, officers returned after receiving a call about shots fired and discovered hundreds of people celebrating Hall’s 21st birthday.
No evidence of a gun being fired was discovered. Gray received a new citation and officers stayed until guests left.
Video posted on social media showed hundreds of people, most of whom were not wearing masks, packed inside of the home nicknamed the Sway House.
ADVERTISEMENT
Earlier this month, Los Angeles Mayor Eric GarcettiEric GarcettiTikTok stars Bryce Hall, Blake Gray charged for throwing house parties during pandemic Latino Victory to boost Alex Padilla to fill Harris’s potential Senate seat Sunday shows preview: Republicans gear up for national convention, USPS debate continues in Washington MORE (D) authorized the Department of Water and Power to shut off utilities in “egregious” instances where homes continue to ignore public health protocols and hold large social gatherings and parties.
Power was cut off at Hall and Gray’s home on Aug. 19, according to the city’s complaint.
Hall and Gray are both popular on the video sharing platform TikTok, with 13.2 million and 5.9 million followers, respectively. The Hill has reached out to their representatives for comment.
Los Angeles County has recorded more than 238,000 cases of COVID-19 and 5,700 deaths.
It is unclear whether any positive cases of COVID-19 have been linked back to the parties.
Click Here: Cheap Chiefs Rugby Jersey 2019