Boulder, Colorado police are reportedly investigating after several officers were injured after responding to a mass party near the University of Colorado campus Saturday night.
Hundreds of people gathered in a neighborhood west of campus, according to photos and videos taken at the scene.
The university said in a statement that it tweeted shortly after 10pm that it was aware of the rally and warned that people in the area could be subject to arrest and school sanctions.
A SWAT team was eventually called to the area, with authorities estimating up to 1,000 people at the site, according to 9News in Denver.
Glass is absolutely everywhere on the street. Cars run over empty vodka bottles and smash them. Most people have left now after Boulder Police showed up # 9News pic.twitter.com/Xy4PNzVV3N
– Marc Sallinger (@MarcSallinger) March 7, 2021
There seems to be a maskless party on Boulder Hill. A horrible, horrible look, when we are nearing the end of the pandemic. @CUBoulderPolice @boulderpolice can something be done? pic.twitter.com/UIyD6Gsbhr
– Ben Berman (@benfromsf) March 7, 2021
The school said it has received reports of an injured officer while police were trying to break up the mass rally.
“We are aware of a big party at University Hill on Saturday evening and allegations of violence against police officers responding to the scene,” the university said in a statement.
“We condemn this conduct. It is unacceptable and irresponsible, especially in light of the volume of training, communication and implementation that the campus and the city have devoted to ensuring compliance with COVID-19 public health orders,” he added. “CU Boulder will not tolerate any of our students participating in acts of violence or damaging property.”
Police said three members of the SWAT team were hit with bricks and an emergency response vehicle was damaged during the chaos. Authorities are reviewing camera footage of officers’ bodies as they investigate the violent acts of members of the crowd, local media reported.