PLYMOUTH, NH- Shortly after the Boston Red Sox won the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals the cheers and chants for Boston and USA rose throughout campus. Crowds of students congregated outside of their dorm rooms to celebrate the big win, but what began as a celebration, turned into complete chaos.
“Besides the blatant vandalism, I believe everyone had a positive reaction and got together to celebrate the Sox first World Series victory at home in 95 years,” said Senior Eric Columbe.
At approximately 11:30pm students gathered in massive groups, students covered the entire cobblestone paths. Shortly after this group turned into a riot.
The riots began by Center Lodge where multiple fireworks were set off. The riot then moved between Smith and Hyde Hall where students ripped two light posts down. It then moved over between Mary Lyon and Blair, one of the light polls came crashing down on some girl, disclosed sources say in the head, she was removed from the premises [her condition remains unknown].
“I was in my dorm room and saw the light post move and people were just screaming, and all of a sudden if fell and it got quiet, then everyone began screaming Red Sox again,” said freshman Frederike Lalonde.
Across the street smoke permeated throughout Pleasant Street as couches were being light on fire. “I kept on hearing screaming outside, when I looked out on my porch I saw a couch on fire, it was crazy,” said Junior Samantha Sheehan.
The riot lasted roughly two to three hours. The UPD and the State Police, armed with police dogs, came in and broke up the riot. The Plymouth Fire Department also arrived onto the scene within minutes of these events taking place to ensure the safety of the students and to restore order among the streets.
“I couldn’t believe how people were going crazy because of a baseball game,” said LaLonde.