A short-term rental home in Celina, TX, was the scene of a house party with hundreds of teens and young adults.
Celina police were called to the sprawling $4.8 million home on the 800 block of Choate Parkway on the evening of March 21, after getting calls about a large gathering.
Celina Police Chief John Cullison told Fox 4 in Dallas that the crowds grew to between 500 and 800 people after the party was advertised on social media.
Now, police are also investigating shots fired at the home. No one was hurt in what police described as a chaotic scene.
“We started getting the 911 calls with the shots fired. We also got a call that there was 10 men at the front gate, and they had guns, and they were threatening to kill someone. So, this of course amped our officers up just a bit to make sure we go inside and keep everybody safe,” Chief Cullison told Fox 4. “But it wasn’t until they went inside, and they actually realized how vast this party was.”
Chief Cullison told the outlet his officers found damage to the home and bloodstained sheets and towels inside—making them “extremely worried.”
“We had shots fired. We had assaults. We had people threatening to kill people. We have bloody sheets on location. All these things are just an incredibly bad mixture that can end up in your child getting hurt,” Cullison said.
Police are looking into at least four shots fired and then two more shots fired at Collin College, where several of the partygoers were parked.
Meanwhile, Chief Cullison tells Realtor.com that they have not spoken directly to the homeowner yet.
“Right now, we are investigating to determine if any city ordinances where violated,” Cullison tells Realtor.com. “Separate from this concern, we are investigating other crimes related to the discharge of a firearm at the house party.”
Chief Cullison shared this warning.
“First and foremost be aware of the dangers that can exist going to a large party advertised on social media. The risks can include people having weapons, possible assaults by people you don’t know, and of course underage drinking can lead to other harmful outcomes,” says Cullison.
“Additionally, parents of juveniles and young adults should have intentional conversations about the dangers of house parties such as these. As a community we should be protecting our kids and educating them on how to avoid social harms.”
Short-term rental owner speaks out
The owner of the short-term rental spoke to Fox 4 and said the renters who booked it on Airbnb lied to him.
“Somebody booked it, saying they needed the property for a party of seven people,” Kishore Karlapudi explained.
The 5,000-square-foot home is set on several acres, with four bedrooms, at least 3.5 baths, and a three-car garage. Realtor.com® data shows it was built in 1996.
Karlapudi told Fox 4 he was shocked by the damage to the home.
“They took all the furniture out from the living space, and they put it in the garage. They took all the wall fixtures, everything out. They broke the wall fixture. They broke, the island was broken. The granite countertop was broken because it looks like kids danced on those,” he said.
Realtor.com reached out to Karlapudi for comment.