FORT COLLINS, Colo., April 28 (UPI) — Police in Fort Collins used tear gas, pepper spray and exploding rubber balls to break up a riot near the Colorado State University campus, witnesses said.
The riot took place at 9 p.m. Saturday after police told student party goers in the street they had to leave, The Coloradoan reported.
When the students refused, the officers left and retrieved riot gear and came back into the neighborhood. They first rolled the exploding rubber balls into the crowd’s first row, then fired pepper balls and set off the pepper spray and tear gas, witnesses said.
Officers eventually dispersed the crowd around 10:30 p.m.
Party goers said the event had been advertised on Facebook. Students climbed light poles and trees, witnesses said.
But many students also accused police of overreacting to the party, The Coloradoan said.
Police said they will review a video of the riot to try to identify the most aggressive members of the party who could face charges of inciting a riot.
Copyright 2013 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).
