Hundreds gathered Saturday night in Boulder, Colorado’s University Hill, to urge police to disperse the mass party, Boulder police said Saturday. According to authorities, there were an estimated 500 to 800 people at the height of the incident.
CBS Denver reports that SWAT team members assisted police, who used a siren and gas to interrupt the event. Boulder police chief Maris Herold told reporters that tear gas was used for two canisters. Herold added that no rubber bullets have been used to her knowledge.
However, the crowd turned violent and some officers were injured when rocks and stones were thrown at them, Boulder police told CBS Denver. A fire engine was damaged and a car was overturned.
By 9:00 PM, everyone had scattered, leaving broken glass and debris on the street. Some residents cleaned up the mess.
No arrests were made from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and Herold said at a news conference that she believed it “would not be considered best practice to send officers” to the crowd. Instead, the police are relying on bodycam footage, which will be released after an investigation.
An unknown man told CBS Denver that the party and subsequent clash with the police would inevitably take place. “If we are all locked up for months, there will be an explosion, and this was the explosion,” the man said.
The University of Colorado at Boulder has issued a statement condemning the party. “Any student held responsible for acts of violence against law enforcement or first responders will be expelled from CU Boulder and not re-admitted,” the university tweeted.
“When health officials and police referred violations of public health regulations to our student behavior office, CU Boulder responded quickly and imposed disciplinary action when violations were identified,” the university continued. “Disciplinary action has included interim exclusions from campus and 45 suspensions so far this academic year. We will continue to take these measures to make it clear that protecting our community and campus is of the utmost importance and that we will not tolerate such violations. “
The 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has issued a statement to CBS Denver calling the party “shameful.”
“The district attorney’s office will work closely with the Boulder Police Department to establish the identities of those who damaged private property and attacked emergency responders, as they must be held fully responsible for their excessive actions,” noted prosecutor Michael Dougherty.
The police will view camera images of the scene. The Boulder Police Department Encourages anyone with information or images from the party’s social media to come forward.