By Boulder Daily Camera Staff
Boulder police this evening responded to what dispatchers called a “riot situation” on University Hill, where several hundred fans lined up for free tickets to see rapper Tyler, The Creator perform at the Fox Theatre,
Tyler, The Creator is scheduled to perform a free concert there at 8 p.m., with tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans say a line began forming around 3 p.m. today. The Odd Future rapper has added a second show to accomodate the full crowd.
“TWO SHOWS TONIGHT SO EVERYONE CAN COME GUYS,” Tyler, The Creator tweeted.
Around 6 p.m., reports started coming in that the crowd had grown unruly outside the Fox Theatre at 1135 13th St. Police reported a manager of the Jimmy John’s sandwich shop had been assaulted, and that bottles being thrown as numerous officers responded.
That Jimmy John’s manager, who declined to be identified, said he was trying to clear a way into his store as the crowd massed outside. He said an intoxicated fan punched him in the face, then ran off.
Police blocked 13th Street where it meets College Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, as well as other intersections in the area.
A Camera reporter who arrived at the scene about 6:15 found a noisy but controlled crowd.
Dispatchers said they have not sent out the “riot team,” although officers were seen in riot gear.
Police said they were trying to manage the crowd by separating it into smaller groups, according to police radio traffic.
“I haven’t seen anything like this since I’ve been here,” said Brandon Crespo, a 28-year-old University of Colorado junior who came across the crowd on the Hill this evening. “It’s crazy. I’ve never seen police shut down the street — over a nobody!”
Angela McKinley, 19, said she left school at Red Rocks Community College after a friend called her about the free concert by Tyler, The Creator, a member of the Odd Future collective.
“It sounded way better than going to a philosophy class,” she said.
