At least five people were arrested following a violent altercation at a football game between Fresno State University and Boise State University on Saturday night.
Authorities said at least one fight broke out at around 6:30 p.m. in a section of the stadium occupied primarily by Fresno State fans.
Video recorded by onlookers and posted to social media showed a large number of people pushing, shoving, and yelling in the stands. In the chaos, at least one participant fell through a barrier and onto the concrete concourse encircling the field.
Attendees blamed overcrowding and alcohol for the brawl.
"Sold out crowd, a lot of alcohol, a lot of fighting going on after halftime," Armando Gonzalez told ABC7.
The sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages were banned from the Fresno State football stadium in 2006 due to the disorderly conduct of fans. They were allowed again in 2017.
Fresno police have confirmed the incidents were alcohol-related. Among the five arrests, they allege one instance of felony interference with law enforcement.
"During the course of that disturbance, one of the subjects that was fighting was being taken into custody by a Fresno police officer," said Fresno State Police Sgt. Carlos Frausto. The father of that reportedly attempted to "pull" the arresting officer away from his son.
"He was arrested as a result of that," Frausto said, alleging the conduct amounted to "impeding [an] officer during the performance of his duties."
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