Police Break Up Melee Near Western Washington U.

Police arrested three people Sunday during a melee near Western Washington University after hundreds of party-goers threw projectiles at authorities trying to disperse the crowd.

The incident started on Saturday evening after police broke up a party at an apartment complex party near the college around 9 p.m. Many partygoers moved to nearby Laurel Park and were joined by more people,  Associated Press  reports.

As many of 500 people, described by police as an intoxicated, disorderly crowd, congregated at the park. Partygoers threw bottles, cinder blocks, dinner plates and patio furniture at police officers, who had to use pepper spray to disperse the crowd. It took around 45 minutes to clear the area.

Three people ranging in age from 19 to 23 face charges including riot, malicious mischief, reckless endangerment, failing to disperse and obstruction. None of those arrested so far is a campus student. University President Bruce Shepard has vowed to expel any student involved in the confrontation with police.