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Pumpkin festival in Keene, New Hampshire, ends in chaos, riots

Police in riot gear turned out to quell riots near Keene State College on Saturday, when the city's annual pumpkin festival descended into mayhem.

By Kate Stanton

KEENE, N.H., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- At least 30 people were injured and another 14 arrested after an annual pumpkin festival in Keene, N.H., on Saturday night, when festivities near Keene State College got out of hand.

Students from Keene State and surrounding schools usually celebrate the event with parties, but witnesses told the Boston Globe that hundreds of students lit fires, hurled bottles and overturned cars.

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"There were about 4,000 kids in this backyard, and it almost felt like a war zone," Keene State sophomore Ellery Murray told the Globe.

"People were just throwing everything they could find — rocks, skateboards, buckets, pumpkins. It was actually kind of scary."

Steven French, an 18-year-old visitor from Massachusetts, described the scene as "wicked."

"It's just like a rush," he told the Keene Sentinel on Saturday night. "You're revolting from the cops."

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"It's a blast to do things that you're not supposed to do," he added.

Police in riot gear reportedly responded to the melee with tear gas and pepper balls.

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Earlier today at #keenestate #pumpkinfest #teargas

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#keenestate #pumpkinfest

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Governor Maggie Hassan said in a statement Sunday that she was "outraged by the irresponsible, terrible actions that marred a New Hampshire tradition."

She added:

I am confident that law enforcement will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who are responsible, and I am calling on New Hampshire colleges and universities to take swift action to hold students involved accountable. The Keene Police, Keene State College security and the State Police will work together for an in-depth after-action review. I am very grateful that there weren't more injuries, and we must be vigilant as a state to review and learn from the sad destruction that escalated in Keene.

Keene State College President Anna Huot said officials were looking for individuals involved in the disturbance.

"We are reviewing images, videos, media coverage, social media postings, and information we have about off-campus residences. The most serious offenders will face interim suspension, followed by conduct action up to, and including, expulsion," she said.

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