A Central State student was taken to the hospital after a series of fights broke out at Wilberforce University’s Icebreaker Feb. 8, 2020.
“The Greeks started the fight,” said Shatreice Collins, a sophomore at Wilberforce University. Witnesses say that Gatson Lewis Gymnasium was packed with students when the first fight broke out around 1:30 a.m. “There were a lot more people (at the dance than usual),” Collins said.
Once the fight started Wilberforce University police and security guards cleared the gym. Some students stayed in the lobby, while other students went out to the parking lot. Additional fights broke out among students outside the gym.
Wilberforce University police sent out a code 99, which is a call to other police agencies. Officers from Central State University, Cedarville, Springfield, and the Greene County Sheriff’s department responded.
Central State University student Kevin Scott Jr. was transported to Greene Memorial Hospital with multiple strikes to the face and several bruises. Wilberforce University Chief of Police John Cross said that no one else was injured in the fights.
Students say that there was a heavy police presence at the dance even before the fights broke out. “I felt safe,” said Central State student Breasya Carpenter. “There were tons of police, and we went through metal detectors before entering the party.” Carpenter said that students also had to empty their pockets before entering the gym. Police checked bags and even patted down students to check for contraband and weapons in pockets, waist bands, and ankles.
Chief Cross said that students made it difficult to control the crowds by swarming around the fights. “Students should not be so worried about filming and being around a fight,” Cross said. “Kids run in groups to fights, which makes it harder for police to do their jobs.
By Camaia Smith
Contributing Writer