LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — State Sen. Marty Flynn says he returned to confront a group of teenagers after they directed profanity at him and his 7-year-old daughter following a football game. His opponent, Sharon Soltis Sparano, has called for an investigation, saying Flynn threatened the teens.
Flynn said in a statement that he first put his daughter safely in the car, then went back to address the group. He said a video circulating online showed only part of the encounter.
“I was walking my 7-year-old daughter to our car after the game when we walked by a group of kids yelling profanities. I told them to knock it off, and they responded by cursing at both me and my daughter. I put my daughter safely in the car before going back to confront them. One of them recorded my reaction and posted that portion of the encounter without showing the commotion they were causing beforehand.
“At the end of the day, I am a father before I am a state senator. I am not going to stand by while a group of kids directs that kind of language at my 7-year-old daughter. People can have their opinions about how I responded, but the video being circulated does not tell the whole story. My first priority was, and always will be, protecting my daughter.” — Senator Marty Flynn
Sparano said Flynn acknowledged shouting at the students, “I’m going to f—ing knock you out,” and repeatedly telling them to “shut your f—ing mouth.” She said Flynn later told WILK’s Sue Henry that he would do it again. Sparano called for law enforcement to investigate whether the threat violated Pennsylvania law.
WARNING: EXTREMELY STRONG LANGUAGE IN THE VIDEO BELOW!
State Senator Marty Flynn confronts teens after a football game. Via Facebook
The statements offer differing accounts of what led to the confrontation. The information provided to FOX56 does not include a response from the students or an account from police.
Sparano also cited previous incidents involving Flynn. In 2014, while serving in the state House, Flynn and then-Rep. Ryan Bizzarro were targeted in an attempted robbery in Harrisburg. Police said Flynn exchanged gunfire with one of the would-be robbers; no one was injured.
In 2021, a handgun stolen from Flynn’s vehicle was later used in a South Scranton shooting. News reports said Flynn reported the gun stolen on July 28, five days before it was used in the shooting.
In 2024, Flynn was involved in a road-rage incident on Interstate 81 in Dunmore. State police said Flynn brake-checked another vehicle; a passenger in that vehicle was accused of pointing a gun toward Flynn and was charged with terroristic threats and reckless endangerment.
One of the teens allegedly involved in the disturbance claims to be the person who posted this comment on the video.