The district attorney of Boulder County, Colo., says some participants of a weekend gathering that turned violent may face criminal charges.
“I hear people refer to it as a party,” District Attorney Michael Dougherty said Sunday, according to The Washington Post. “I don’t regard people flipping over a car as a party. I don’t regard people throwing bottles and rocks at firefighters and police officers as a party. Those are criminal acts and will be treated as such.”
Police Chief Maris Herold reportedly said that although the scene was too chaotic for police to make arrests on-site, arrests would be made later based on body camera footage.
“It’s much better to videotape this type of behavior and make arrests later,” Herold said Sunday, according to The Denver Post. “I think we made a very restrained, calculated call not to do that. But believe me ... there will be arrests.”
As many as 800 predominantly unmasked University of Colorado Boulder students gathered late Saturday afternoon, later shooting off fireworks and eventually flipping a car. When police attempted to clear the crowd and threatened arrests and use of tear gas, about 100 people charged officers.
University of Colorado Boulder Chief Operating Officer Patrick O’Rourke said Sunday that any student participating in the unrest could face disciplinary action and possible expulsion.
“I want to apologize to our University Hill neighbors in the Boulder community,” O'Rourke said, according to The Denver Post. “We are very sorry this occurred and we will hold students accountable.”
Boulder County Public Health Executive Director Jeff Zayach warned that the public could not grow complacent about public safety as coronavirus vaccinations increase. Boulder County has averaged about 50 daily new cases, down from a November high of about 220, according to The Washington Post.
