WTVC Home

43°

Mostly Cloudy
| Print Story | E-Mail Story | Font Size

UPDATE: UTC Students Maced And Arrested

College finals week at U.T.C. took an unexpected turn last night. And now, instead of taking tests, at least one student is trying to make bail. Word of a spontaneous rally quickly spread on the internet.

So, was it a pep rally or a riot? It all depends on who you ask.

But whatever it was - it has everybody on campus talking.  What started out as a study break at the library-- quickly turned to controversy, captured on a cell phone camera and quickly uploaded to the internet site, Youtube.

Student, Ismael Breton tells NewsChannel 9, "It went from like nothing to chaos it was crazy."

Bethann Boatman was inside the campus library at the time and says, " They (students) were just trying to have their study break very enthusiastically."

It's called a 'flash rave' and was apparently organized over "twitter"and text messages.

At first it was all about school spirit with students chanting, "U.T.C,  U.T.C.," until the cowd grew too big and too rowdy. The video shows kids climbing up the concrete entrance to the library. Some even jumped-- still-- they say they were just having fun.

Jordan Garrison describes the scene. "When the cops came in that's when they feared for their safety and stuff cuz they pulled out their pepper spray and taser and stuff."

"For no reason were literally spraying people with mace," says Breton.

One student was arrested for throwing a water bottle that hit an officer in the face. 18-year-old Nicholas Rush is charged with assault. U.T.C. officials say there is an ongoing investigation -- but it's unlikely the students who were arrested will be kicked off campus.


See archived 'Local News' stories »
 


StormTrack 9 Blog
WX Warnings
Interactive Radar
7-Day Forecast
ADVERTISEMENT 
ADVERTISEMENT 
Featured Events

 
  • Find an Event
Featured Categories