05/11/2008

Associated Press

Police arrested seven people after a graduation party turned rowdy in northeast Portland.

Sgt. Brian Schmautz, the police spokesman, says officers arrived early Sunday to find people fighting inside and outside the building. When police tried to stop the event, some partygoers became hostile and threw bottles and beer cans at officers.

Schmautz says officers used pepper spray before arresting seven people between the ages of 17 and 22. They were charged with riot, attempted assault, interfering with a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Organizers told police the party was for new graduates of Warner Pacific College. They tried to provide security at the rented space, but became overwhelmed when people crashed it through side doors.

Schmautz says there were no serious injuries.