Viral video clip shows student brawl

No arrests; police, area universities working together

A video of hundreds of college students watching a brawl in Albany was widely shared on social media Sunday.

The clip published on Barstool Albany’s Instagram account, an affiliate of the popular sports media outlet, shows several people throwing punches at each other as crowds churn alongside them.

After the melee, several of those fighting ran away and the camera pans out to reveal more than 100 bystanders packed onto porches and on the street.

“First week back after spring and y’all already beefing?” Barstool Albany wrote.

University at Albany classes resumed March 19.

The 32-second clip had more than 8,500 views an hour after being posted Sunday afternoon.

Albany police were already in the area monitoring large groups of people when a call came in at 1:45 a.m. reporting a fight on Hudson Avenue between Quail and Ontario streets, officials said.

There were no arrests, but two men were treated for cuts to the head, possibly from a broken bottle, said Steve Smith, a police spokesman. One of the men was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital for treatment. The other was treated at the scene.

“Officers managed to safely clear the street and we maintained a presence in the area,” Smith said.

Albany police are in contact with area universities, Smith said.

University at Albany officials said that it’s difficult to tell from the video who was involved and that crowds often consist of more than college students.

The university’s standard practice is for the Dean of Students Office to compare notes with Albany police and review all available social media video and images.

“If we’re able to identify any Ualbany students involved in conduct violations, they will be held accountable,” said Jordan Carleo-evangelist, a university spokesman.