MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Police used smoke canisters to disperse a snow-day party that blocked Spruce Street near the campus of West Virginia University on Friday.
University administrators were told that several hundred students and others “refused reasonable instructions to disperse and began tossing glass bottles and other debris toward officers.” A mattress also was set on fire.
Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston told The Dominion Post that Friday’s party turned to a riot after a snowplow and officers attempting to help it through the crowd had bottles and other debris thrown at them.
“It became a dangerous situation,” Preston said.
Classes have been cancelled since Wednesday with the region in the throes of a polar vortex that coated roads in ice and snow.
“It’s a snow day; it’s a great day,” Caroline McCarthy told The Dominion Post. “Every time school is canceled everyone knows to come to Spruce Street. Spruce Street’s where it’s at.”
Zachary Haines said he was hit in the face by “whatever they were shooting out of those guns.”
“The police wanna come up and I’m just standing on the porch and next thing I know I just get shot by them,” Haines said.
WVU Police Chief W. P. Chedester said officers are supposed to aim low, avoiding the head so the ammo properly disperses. But he didn’t rule out the possibility of crowd members being struck because “you’re in a riot situation.”
Both chiefs said all officers involved will file reports and any actions taken will be revi—
WVU released a statement:
It is unfortunate that what began today on Spruce Street as a playful time in the snow, turned into a dangerous and threatening situation for students and law enforcement officers alike.
The escalation apparently began when the several hundred students and others who had gathered refused reasonable instructions to disperse and began tossing glass bottles and other debris toward officers, resulting in law enforcement taking action.
University officials will review videos of the situation to determine if any charges should be filed.
We remind our students that our actions should represent our Mountaineer values. Behave responsibly, be accountable and please comply with police, who want to keep our campus, city and all of our first responders safe through this weather.
A video of the scene was shared on Twitter and Instagram, showing officers shooting smoke canisters into the crowd. The video includes offensive language:
West Virginia is an absolute war zone @wvubarstool pic.twitter.com/IurSfWihlD
— 5th Year (@5thYear) February 1, 2019