Officers Struck With Bricks, Rocks as They Break Up Large Party Near UC Boulder

Violence erupted near the University of Colorado Boulder on Saturday evening as police officers worked to disperse a party involving hundreds of college students.

Pictures and video posted on social media showed large crowds gathered in the University Hill neighborhood from Saturday afternoon—most without masks and with no social distancing despite the coronavirus pandemic.

The Boulder Police Department brought in a SWAT team to break up the party, near 10th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Police said some individuals responded with violence towards officers. Three SWAT officers suffered minor injuries after being struck by bricks and rocks, the Boulder Police Department said on Twitter.

Pictures on social media showed some people in the crowd around a vehicle that had been flipped over on to its side. An armored vehicle and a fire truck were also damaged, police said.

The department said the scene was cleared by around 9 p.m. No arrests were immediately announced.

It added that it 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."

"Detectives will review every lead we have to identify and arrest those responsible for this reprehensible and unacceptable behavior," Chief Maris Herold said.

In a statement, the university condemned the party and said it would not tolerate any students "engaging in acts of violence or damaging property."

"We are aware of a large party on University Hill on Saturday evening and allegations of violence toward police officers responding to the scene. We condemn this conduct," it read.

"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."

It added: "Any student who is found responsible for having engaged in acts of violence toward the law enforcement or other first responders will be removed from CU Boulder and not readmitted. We appreciate the efforts of law enforcement to address the unacceptable conduct of these students and apologize to the residents of University Hill for their behavior."

The university's statement also said that following county public health orders is required under the student code of conduct, and that the university had responded "responded quickly" to violations.

Disciplinary actions that have been issued so far this academic year include interim exclusions from campus and 45 suspensions, the university said.

"We will continue to take these actions to make clear that protecting our community and our campus is of utmost importance and that we will not tolerate such violations," it added.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact detectives via the Boulder Police Department's website or social media.