SALT LAKE CITY, Utah , April 23, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Police investigators are trying to determine the cause of a series of fights involving hundreds of party-goers at a private Salt Lake City events center early Sunday morning.
Eyewitnesses told Gephardt Daily a crowd of more than 2,000 people was partying and listening to a band at the River Bend Sports Complex and Events Center at 1040 S. 1915 West at about 12:15 a.m. when a series of fights broke out.
Dozens of police officers from across the Valley responded to scene, which onsite security personnel described as a “mad house.”
When the first of more than two dozen police units arrived, they encountered dozens of people still throwing punches, while a sea of others nursed fat lips and bloody noses as they made their way to the party hall parking lot.
A Salt Lake City police watch commander told Gephardt Daily an estimated crowd of nearly 8,000 people filtered through the events center Saturday night into Sunday morning, and that drinking likely played a role in starting the melee.
He also said nearby neighborhoods were overwhelmed by the crowds, which snatched up every available parking spot in front of homes and private businesses for several blocks.
Numerous injuries were reported at the scene, although none were considered serious.
One man being treated by paramedics refused a ride to the ER and was only released after signing a waiver saying he would seek medical treatment on his own.
Police say no arrests were made, although their investigation is continuing.
Gephardt Daily was the only media outlet on the scene as police brought the situation under control. We’ll update the story as more information becomes available.
