At least two people were injured after being trampled upon in a stampede at The Studio in downtown Troy Saturday night.
Vickie Pritchett, Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center executive director, said the incident at the Center’s “Studio” Saturday night was unfortunate but all of the Cultural Arts Center policies were in place and followed.
“The Studio was rented to Kappa Alpha Psi, a Troy University fraternity, for its semi-formal spring social,” Pritchett said. “All TPCAC regulations were followed. There was adult supervision and two security guards were on duty. The renters had liability insurance which is a requirement to rent The Studio.”
According to the rental agreement, no alcohol was to be served.
During the party, a fight was reported at around 11:20 p.m. Kappa League, formally known as the Kappa Instructional Leadership League, is the national youth initiative of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. The leadership organization “focuses on training young men of color (but not exclusive to) 6th-12th grade for leadership, achievement and service in every field of human endeavor. Strong emphasis is placed upon personal development, academic achievement and college and career preparation,” according to its website.
Word quickly spread that one of the people involved in the fight had a gun.
“I was terrified,” said Mya Baker, one of the guests.
According to a guard at the party, a throng of teenage partygoers rushed out of the door at once. At least two teenage girls were caught in the fray. One witness said her friend was at the bottom of a pile of people. The girl was in agony as her friends helped her to emergency personnel at the scene.
“Both of those subjects were treated at the scene and transported to Troy Regional Medical Center by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries,” said Lt. Bryan Weed.
The incident was still under investigation.
“One 15-year-old male juvenile was arrested on the scene for disorderly conduct (and) later released to a parent,” Weed said. “Three other juvenile males were detained at the scene but were released to parents or guardians.”
Pritchett said The Studio is in a safe location and a suitable facility for local events.
“But we will continue to look at the rental policy for The Studio and update the policy as needed.”