An unauthorized gathering of up to 800 teenagers and young adults at a $7.6 million Celina estate ended in gunfire and arrests last week, exposing the escalating risks of social-media-fueled parties in the short-term rental market.
The March 21 incident at the 18-acre property on Choate Parkway began under false pretenses. Property owner Kishore Karlapudi reported that the Airbnb booking was purportedly for a small group of seven people. Instead, Celina Police Chief John Cullison confirmed that a crowd of 500 to 800 individuals converged on the residence after the event was advertised across social media platforms.
The situation turned volatile as crowds began to disperse. Responding officers reported hearing multiple gunshots in the vicinity. While a search of the home yielded no shooting victims, police were initially alerted to reports of ten armed men at the front gate threatening to kill attendees.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/celina-police-car-032626-1-dc1b349605aa4e37adc8aeb1cadf3caa.jpg)
“We had shots fired. We had assaults. We had people threatening to kill people,” Chief Cullison told local media, describing the scene as “shock and chaos.”
Dashcam footage captured the moments officers rushed into the mansion as hundreds of attendees fled. Two individuals were taken into custody: one minor for Driving Under the Influence and another on an outstanding Aggravated Assault warrant from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.
Inside the four-bedroom home, investigators discovered blood-stained bed sheets and towels. The physical damage to the property was extensive, including:
- Broken Granite Countertops: Suspected to have been caused by attendees dancing on the kitchen island.
- Structural Vandalism: Wall fixtures were torn out and furniture was forcibly moved into the garage.
- Sanitation Issues: Significant cleanup is required before the home can return to the market.
Karlapudi stated the property—valued at $7.6 million by the Collin County Appraisal District—will remain off the Airbnb platform for at least two weeks for repairs.
In a statement, an Airbnb spokesperson confirmed the booking guest has been suspended and emphasized the company’s “strict ban on disruptive parties.” The company is currently assisting the Celina Police Department with its investigation.
Chief Cullison, speaking as both a law enforcement official and a parent, urged the community to recognize the dangers of large, unsupervised gatherings often fueled by substance abuse. “It’s an incredibly bad mixture that can end up in your child getting hurt,” he warned.
The investigation remains active as authorities determine if the event was organized as a for-profit venture.
