An out-of-control street party near the campus of the University of Colorado, Boulder, on Saturday drew up to 800 people, most appearing to be college-aged, prompting violent clashes with SWAT police who deployed at least one armored vehicle to disperse the crowd, according to authorities.The bedlam ensued in the University Hill neighborhood as hundreds of people took to the streets just blocks from the university campus, most dispensing with COVID-19 social distancing rules and mask wearing, according to a social media post authenticated by ABC News shows.During the several hours of chaos, rowdy revelers shooting off fireworks are alleged to have thrown bricks and rocks at police, flipped over a private car and caused heavy damaged to a police armored vehicle and a fire truck, according to a spokesperson for the Boulder Police Department. Three Boulder SWAT team members suffered minor injuries, the spokesperson said."Regarding what happened tonight on University Hill, the Boulder Department is reviewing all body worn camera footage and shared social media videos/photos to identify the individuals involved in damaging property and assaulting first responders," the Boulder Police Department said in a tweet early Sunday.Mitchell Byars/dailycamera.comPeople attend a party in Boulder, Colorado, March 6, 2021.Colorado University, Boulder, officials condemned the conduct and threatened to permanently expel any student found to have attacked police and other first responders during the mayhem."It is unacceptable and irresponsible, particularly in light of the volume of training, communication and enforcement the campus and city have dedicated to ensuring compliance with COVID-19 public health orders. CU Boulder will not tolerate any of our students engaging in acts of violence or damaging property," the university's statement said.Police started receiving complaints about 7 p.m. of a large gathering at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 10th Street, about five blocks west of the university campus. At round 8:30 p.m., a SWAT team in an armored vehicle rolled into the neighborhood and a police officer on a loud speaker was heard ordering the crowd to disperse, saying, "This is an unlawful assembly."Editor's Picks'I am an American, too': Violence sparks new grief, reckoning for Asian AmericansWe can't give up wearing masks as COVID cases fall: Ohio governorPresident Biden's approval on COVID-19 steady as country wary about reopening: POLL
Source : abcnews.go.com
Source : abcnews.go.com