Several people were injured via trampling at the Howard University Yardfest, Alumni Reception and Open House on Friday after people tried to rush the gates and enter. There were reports that officials were shutting down Yardfest, but that was later denied by the university.
The Washington DC Fire Fighters Association Local 36 tweeted that there were “multiple patients trampled - use caution,” reported WUSA-9.
NBC Washington reported that people tried to break through the gates Homecoming, a several-day-long event, was beginning at the university, which is located in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. Police told reporter Melinda Woolbright of NBC that 2 officers were injured and at least 5 other people are injured in the incident.
Police called for ambulances and a “mass casualty response” after the injuries were reported, NBC said on Twitter.
Emergency responders were called for several injured victims at Concert at 2400 4th St. NW, reported Richard Washington of WBAL-TV. At least five ambulances were on the scene.
“Please remain calm. We will resume the show once those outside of Yardfest calm down,” tweeted Howard Homecoming after the injury reports. It later said the event was restarted.
Other details were not immediately clear.
Chris Richards, a music critic for the Washington Post, said that the “massive crowd” was standing around in silence for an hour after the incident happened. The Yardfest has re-started, though, and started with a Big Sean performance.
Some Twitter users speculated that people tried to break down the gates because Howard University started charging for Yardfest. Others speculated that the tickets were sold out, prompting people to try and enter the university.
“Charging for yardfest was a bad decision anyway. It’s been free forever,” wrote one user.
An Instagram user posted a video of the incident.
“They runnin‘. They hopin’ the fences,” the user said. “Good ol' HU,” he added, referring to Howard University.
