Police: 3,000 at Greenville party got out of hand

Authorities told local media that officers were called to Riverwalk Townhomes early Saturday morning after reports of the crowd shattering car windows, fighting and dancing on an East Carolina University bus.

Police say the crowd threw bottles at officers trying to help an injured man. Officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Several people were taken into custody, and Greenville Police Chief Hassan Aden says possible charges once the investigation is completed include inciting a riot, failure to disperse, assault on a government official and damage to property.

Aden says he was highly disappointed at how the crowd behaved after police arrived.

"Our officers went in to rescue a seriously injured young man and were met by a hostile crowd who began throwing bottles and debris at our officers," Aden said in a statement. "It's highly disturbing that these people chose to attack the very individuals who were there to protect them."

An East Carolina University transit bus was damaged during the incident, school officials said Saturday.

"We are aware of the incident involving the bus and are working with Greenville police," Wood Davidson, director of ECU transit, said in a statement.

Windows of the bus were shattered, and the body of the bus was also damaged, officials said. The bus driver left the area safely, and all bus service to the complex was canceled, Davidson said.

Service to complex was restored Saturday.