GREENSBORO, N.C. — Large rocks and bottles were thrown at Greensboro and Guilford County investigators following a call to a large “block party” Tuesday.
Officers were called out to the Province Apartments on Houston Street in Greensboro. They were told that there were ten people gathered.
After arriving, there were nearly 1,000 people standing in the roadways of Fulton Street and Houston Street, according to Greensboro police.
Police said apartment units were overcrowded.
"Our major concern was injuries occurring. We were having structural damage to one of the apartments from the over crowdedness so we were trying to clear out the area," said Interim Greensboro Police Chief Teresa Biffle.
Investigators said the “disturbance” comes almost exactly a year after two similar incidents on Clifton Road where large parties overcrowded upper-level apartments causing structural damage and portions of the buildings to collapse while they were people were in them.
Tashan Thornton is a senior at North Carolina A&T and lives in the Province.
He witnessed the block party grow from just a few to many, right outside of his apartment.
"I was across the street with my friends, but I actually live over here in this building, so it was just like right outside of my apartment. There was just like a sea of people," said Thornton.
Investigators said callers noted the same concern when calling Guilford Metro 911 during the incident.
Additional resources were requested from all Greensboro Patrol Districts, Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, and any other law enforcement agency available to assist in moving the large crowd.
Greensboro Patrol Districts, Guilford County Sheriff’s deputies, and other law enforcement agencies that were available stepped in to help move the crowd.
Detectives said as soon as law enforcement agencies arrived, bottles and large rocks were thrown at officers and their vehicles.
Police said as a response to these actions, officers utilized pepper fogger spray and a single chemical munition canister of tear gas was deployed. Investigators said the crowd then ran away.
Chrystian Simmons watched the party from a nearby apartment.
He and Thornton said, even with the large crowds, they never felt their safety was in jeopardy.
"Me, personally, as long as I know, I can get back home, I'm good. I would just be more worried about my friends," said Simmons.
"It takes a village and that's what we are as Aggies, we are family," said Thornton.
No injuries have been reported as of 4 p.m. Tuesday. No arrests have been made.
Following the incident, the The Province sent an email out to residents reminding them of their limit on gatherings.
It reads the complex will be strictly enforcing a ten person limit for gatherings.
Violating the policy could lead to an eviction.
If you have any information call Crime Stoppers at (336) 373-1000.
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