After sending 23 students to jail last night, Prince George's County Police warned today that more arrests were on the way, and justified a show of force that sent at least one student to the hospital.
In total, the Route 1 riot dealt minor injuries to five people, including a police officer and a student who was "bumped around" by a police horse, Prince George's County Police Captain M. Mints said.
Roberto Hylton, the county's police chief, vowed that the students who escalated the volatile situation would be prosecuted.
"We will continue to investigate this incident and I expect additional arrests," Hylton said in a 2 p.m. press conference, adding that police will monitor surveillance footage of the Route 1 scene to find suspects.
Two hours later, hordes of students gathered at the Art-Sociology building to protest the police response last night that included clubbings, pepper spray, and pepper guns that shoot rubber encased pellets.
While many students charged the police's response amounted to brutality, Hylton said his officers' actions were appropriate.
"Of course I'm going to reassess the actions of my officers, but I'll tell you last night that my officers acted very bravely," Hylton said, adding that several police officers were assaulted.
Still, he said he would investigate students' claims.
"In any incident of this nature we always conduct a thorough review," he said. "My preliminary review of the incident has not indicated any excessive show of force at this time, however we will continue to review any allegations and complaints."
The 23 students arrested last night were all charged with misdemeanors and released from jail last night unless they had prior offenses or outstanding warrants. Five non-students were also arrested.
The administration released a statement earlier today reiterating the university's riot policy.
"The University of Maryland has policies that provide the authority, with police documentation and following due process, to suspend or expel a student for riot-related behavior whether or not he or she has been convicted in a criminal court," the statement from university spokesman Millree Williams said.
slivnick@umdbk.com
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