Apr 3, 2001 - 04:48 AM

Arizona Police Use Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets After Fans Turn Rowdy By Arthur H. Rotstein Associated Press Writer

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Police used stun grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas on crowds of University of Arizona fans who set at least three overturned vehicles ablaze and tore down street signs. Several people were hit Monday night by the rubber bullets, though none of the injuries were believed to be life threatening. Seventeen people were arrested on various charges, including assault, trespass, criminal damage and disorderly conduct.

"We were very disappointed that people chose to act this way," Assistant Chief Roberto Villasenor said.

Police had cleared out the area where most of the problems had occurred by early Tuesday.

An estimated 2,000 Wildcats fans spilled into the streets after Duke defeated Arizona 82-72 Monday night in the NCAA basketball championship in Minneapolis.

Initially, police said there were few problems and only a handful of minor arrests. But then about 1,000 people jammed an intersection near the campus, and set fire to a motor home and at least two other vehicles.

"Everybody started going nuts when they started shooting," said Robert Thacker, a university student. "I saw they looted stores. It was like a war zone."

With the damage escalating, police in riot gear ordered the crowd to disperse and most obeyed. Police later fired stun grenades and rubber bullets at those who refused to leave.

Arlene Leaf, owner of Tucson Thrift, said the windows of her shop had been broken.

"It's just so very stupid, just sad and tragic," she said. "Right now I think of all the people in the world who have real problems and they're doing this over a game."

Police had cordoned off the entire campus by closing streets to vehicular traffic, a precaution to avoid having motorists trapped, as some were in 1997 after Arizona won its first national championship by beating Kentucky.

That year, revelers overturned at least one car, scrambled onto rooftops and shattered windows on homes and vehicles, including a police car.

AP-ES-04-03-01 0447EDT © Copyright 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

-- Anonymous, April 03, 2001

Answers

Arizona Republic

Cars, bar aflame in post-game riot

By Miriam Davidson and Judi Villa The Arizona Republic April 03, 2001 12:00:00

TUCSON - Police in riot gear descended on downtown after rowdy Wildcats fans poured onto Fourth Avenue near the University of Arizona, setting cars and trash cans on fire, smashing store windows and exploding cherry bombs.

A bar called the Hut was set aflame.

"Wasn't there a point in American history when people rioted for a reason?" asked Brendan Kelly.

Officers marched in a line, thumping their batons against their riot shields as they tried to disperse the crowd with percussion grenades and tear gas. They also fired rubber bullets into the crowd.

"Now this is a riot," Assistant Police Chief Roberto Villasenor said.

Police reported six arrests for disorderly conduct and criminal damage.

-- Anonymous, April 03, 2001