19 Arrested After Gophers Lose NCAA Championship
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Nineteen people were arrested Saturday night and Sunday morning after Gopher fans poured out into the streets, after the Gophers lost 7-4 to Union College in the final game of NCAA Championship Tournament.
Minneapolis Police say they responded to two known incidents of arson in the area, as well. No law enforcement members were injured.
There was also an undetermined amount of property damage.
Administrators and police warned students prior to Saturday they wouldn't tolerate a celebration or retaliation that got out of hand.
On Thursday night police in riot gear arrested 10 University of Minnesota students after hundreds took to the streets of Dinkytown following the Gophers' stunning last-second win over North Dakota in the Frozen Four.
University of Minnesota police and city of Minneapolis police prepared for Saturday's game by having 300 police patrolling the area.
Fans began filing into the intersection of 14th Street Southeast and Fourth Street Southeast roughly 20 minutes after the game ended.
At first, fans were just standing in the intersection, but as time passed they began to get more rowdy.
Officers blocked off the intersection but stayed on standby, warning students that they should return home.
WCCO saw some fans throw things and others climb on top of a car. Officers swarmed the car and cleared fans off quickly.
WCCO heard other reports that a couch was set on fire, signs were ripped down and that a fight broke out at a local bar.
A number of students began laying down in the streets in what seemed to be a protest against the police presence.
Police were once again in their riot gear and warned students they would not tolerate any riotous behavior. The State Patrol helicopter was brought through and gave one final warning to students before police moved through on mounted patrols.
