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Hundreds of people gathered in Boulder, Colorado University Hill on Saturday night, prompting police to break up the big party, Boulder police said on Saturday. Authorities said around 500 to 800 people were present at the height of the incident.
CBS Denver reports that members of the SWAT team assisted the police, who used a siren and gas to interrupt the event. Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold told reporters two cans of tear gas were used. Herold added that no rubber bullets had been used to his knowledge.
The crowd turned violent, however, and some officers were injured when bricks and stones were thrown at them, Boulder police told CBS Denver. A fire engine was damaged and a car overturned.
By 9 p.m. everyone had dispersed, leaving broken glass and debris on the streets. Some residents cleaned up the mess.
No arrests were made between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., and Herold told a press conference that she believed “would not be considered best practice to send officers” into the crowd. Instead, the police department is relying on bodycam footage, which will be released following an investigation.
An unidentified man told CBS Denver that the party and his subsequent clash with police was going to happen. “When we’re all locked up for months, there will be an explosion, and that was the explosion,” the man said.
The University of Colorado at Boulder issued a statement condemning the party. “Any student found responsible for acts of violence against law enforcement or first responders will be expelled from CU Boulder and will not be readmitted,” the University tweeted.
“When health officials and police referred violations of public health orders to our ethics office, CU Boulder responded quickly and imposed disciplinary action when violations were established,” the University continued. “The disciplinary measures include provisional expulsions from campus and 45 suspensions so far this academic year. We will continue to take these steps to make it clear that the protection of our community and our campus is of the utmost importance and that we will not tolerate such violations.
The 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office released a statement to CBS Denver calling the party “shameful.”
“The district attorney’s office will work closely with the Boulder Police Department to determine the identities of those who damaged private property and assaulted first responders, as they should be held fully accountable for their outrageous actions,” noted District Attorney Michael Dougherty.
Police will examine body camera footage from the scene. The Boulder Police Department encourages anyone with information or images on party social media to come forward.
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