Viral video shows police officers in Morgantown firing projectiles into WVU party crowds
Several videos have surfaced that show police officers firing projectiles into party crowds near West Virginia University's campus in Morgantown.
Several videos are making the rounds on social media, causing a stir on WVU's campus. It clearly shows Morgantown police officers shooting pepperballs into a crowd of students celebrating St. Patrick's Day on the street outside of the university's fraternities. In one video, a student captured officers shooting smoke into the crowd.
"Unjustified, unnecessary. You don't have to shoot people with pepper bullets over a little partying," said senior Alec Townsend, a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.
He said frat row was hosting its annual St. Patrick's Day celebration when police officers arrived on scene after receiving reports of loud music.
"They're just telling everyone to shut the music off and get out," he said. "Then they start whipping out their paintball guns with pepper bullets and throwing tear gas."
Once the music was turned off, police allege the crowd got aggressive and began throwing things at the officers. In a statement posted on the department's website, officials say in part: "In an effort to regain control of the area, Morgantown Police Officers utilized standard crowd dispersal techniques, like PepperBalls and inert smoke."
Police said officers evaluated bystanders and offered to contact EMS if needed, but no one needed assistance.
The crowd eventually broke up without any severe injuries or arrests, but students who attended the party still question if the extent of force was necessary.
"It was a stampede of everyone trying to get out, so it wasn't, like, safe, honestly. I feel like there was an easier way for them to handle that," said senior Gaby Garrison.
KDKA-TV reached out to WVU for comment, and the university said it was an off-campus incident.