Dayton Daily News reports that more than 1,000 people were involved in a St. Patrick’s Day riot at a student campus housing area at the University of Dayton. Police from 10 different jurisdictions were called early Sunday morning to the scene – a student neighborhood where the University owns between 80-85 percent of the homes.
Eleven cars, including a police car, were damaged. Video from News Center 7 shows students jumping on top of cars, throwing glass beer bottles, and yelling at police officers. University President Daniel Curran was struck by a police shield.
“We weren’t out there trying to cause trouble,” Matt Kolb, a 19-year-old student, told Dayton Daily News. “We were out there trying to have fun. The cops caused the crowd to go a little bit bananas.”
“We would describe what happened as a disturbance. It was quickly contained because of the response by University police and other jurisdictions,” said Andy Booher, a lieutenant with the Dayton Police Department.
In response, the University prohibited any large non-University-sponsored gatherings on St. Patrick's Day. Non-alcoholic events such as cookouts, movies, bowling and pizza gatherings were planned on campus.
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