The night the Red Sox defeated the Yankees was ecstatic for some, and disappointing for others, but for Victoria Snelgrove, a 21-year-old Emerson College student - the night was deadly.
Boston University students have had a mixed reaction upon hearing of Snelgrove's death.
College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Josh Pellittieri said he was outraged because no one anticipated a tragedy amidst a relatively peaceful crowd. Pellittieri said he was shocked by the police officer's reaction to the rioters.
"I didn't [feel threatened], but I'm a substantial guy," he said. "I was with my girlfriend and she saw the riot police and was flipping out. I saw the pellet guns used in Jackass movie. They hit him in the stomach, but made a big deal about how if they messed up he could've died."
Boston Police Department officers carried crowd-dispersing firearms, batons and tear gas to control the crowd, all "less than lethal' weapons, according to a Boston City Hall press release.
CAS senior Orlee Sendowski said the police were observing the activities, which included a group of topless girls, without interfering.
"They obviously didn't do anything to stop the girls from taking their shirts off," she said.
Sendowski said she was surprised to hear of Snelgrove's death.
"I'm speechless," she said. "I can't believe that. There was a sense that they were ready for action. It was almost anticipated."
For some BU students, the night's events were familiar.
College of Communication sophomore Dan Costa said he was once shot with a beanbag pellet by riot police in State College, Pa.
"I was shot in the leg," he said. "It felt like how I would imagine a real gun shot would feel."
School of Management sophomore Josh Anderson said he saw an officer push his female friend and heard him ask, "What, because you're a girl you think we won't bash your [expletive deleted] face in?"
"[The riot] wasn't that bad that cops had to shoot at people," Anderson said. "[Guns] are a bad idea. There's no reason to harm students that weren't really doing anything."
While he felt the action was unwarranted, Anderson described Kenmore Square as "a war zone" while he was there at 3 a.m Thursday.
In spite of the night's tragedy, students said they would return to the Kenmore Square area for future celebrations.
"For all it was, I enjoyed myself and it was an energetic atmosphere," Costa said.
Pellitierri said his proximity to the area made it easy for him to participate in the celebration.
"I'm a big Sox fan and live right in Kenmore Square, so I'd go to another riot," he said.
Staff Writers Courtney Cox, Jessica Hitch and Neal Simpson contributed to this report.
Be the first to comment on this article!