30 Arrested in University Block Party Melee
HARRISONBURG, Va.
An annual block party held by James Madison University (JMU) students April 10 turned into a riot that resulted in more than 30 arrests.
The “Springfest” block party normally attracts about 2,000 people; however, this year, more than 8,000 attended the event, according to the Washington Post. As a result, 200 police from several different agencies showed up to try to disperse the crowd.
During the incident, partygoers from JMU, Virginia Tech, Washington and Lee, and William and Mary threw rocks, beer bottles and cans, hitting and injuring dozens of people and shattering car and house windows. Additionally, dumpsters were set on fire. (Article continues below).
Warning: Video contains explicit language.
Police, many outfitted in riot gear, fought back with canisters of tear gas, rounds of pepper spray and foam projectiles. A Medevac helicopter arrived to take a casualty to a trauma center, and nearly three dozen people were taken to a local hospital.
University officials have condemned students for their behavior. In an E-mail, JMU President Linwood Rose wrote, “Your collective behavior was an embarrassment to your university and a discredit to our reputation.”
It took more than four hours for police to clear the neighborhood, which was left in shambles.
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