A viral TikTok video brought chaos to US beach. Officials fear it’s just the beginning

A lifeguard tower stands near the Huntington Beach pier during a more peaceful time on January 19, 2021, in Huntington Beach, Calif. Last week, thousands of partygoers summoned by a TikTok video descended on the beach, and chaos ensued. — TNS

LOS ANGELES: Huntington Beach has dealt with wild parties, drunken melees and political unrest.

But nothing prepared officials for “Adrian’s kickback, ” which started as a simple birthday party for an Inland Empire teenager and turned into a viral TikTok event that drew thousands to the beach last week — though not Adrian Lopez, who in the days leading up to the party was increasingly nervous about all the attention.