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Crime & Safety

Arrests, Injuries On URI Campus After Alleged Riot

Four different EMS departments were called down to URI after several incidents broke out on campus.

KINGSTON -- Several students and party-goers are in custody and at least one student was transported to South County Hospital after an alleged fraternity party got out of hand according to witnesses on scene at the 's Kingston campus Thursday night.

According to witnesses on the scene, fights broke out at a party allegedly hosted by the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, which escalated to numerous incidents down Butterfield Road and Fraternity Circle between the hours of 11:00 p.m. Thursday night and 2:00 a.m. Friday morning. According to estimates from witnesses on the scene, as many as 150 or 200 people may have been involved in the scuffles. Revelers remained on Butterfield Road until well after 2:00 a.m.

South Kingstown Police were called in to assist URI and State Police troopers, as well as EMS units that had been called in from Charlestown, Exeter, South Kingstown, and the Kingston Fire Station to assist. According to radio reports several students were treated and released from the scene, including two that had been pepper sprayed by URI Police.

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The exact number of injured is unclear, as well as the exact number of those taken into custody as police officers from both South Kingstown and URI refused to give an official statement at the scene, stating only that more detailed information will be available later this morning.

At least one student was taken to South County Hospital after the incidents, and a South Kingstown police officer was treated for an ankle injury after another scuffle broke out at the URI health services building just before 2 a.m.

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"A guy got punched out and then his head hit the ground really hard," URI student Zach Wilson said. "He might have a concussion." 

From South Kingstown Patch and Good 5-Cent Cigar writer Michael Abelson:

"Fights broke out around campus, according to a partygoer who only identified herself as Debra. Debra went on to say that 'several fights' went on around campus before police arrived."

"According to multiple Facebook posts by URI students who saw the events unfold, a riot in excess of 150-200 people broke out near the Eddy, Gorham, and Fayerweather dormitories."

"According to a post by an student, 'everyone is rushing towards Eddy and there were like five different fights and the N-word was flying.'”

"Several police officers, who asked not to be identified, said that a mob mentality and alcohol played a role in the riots."

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