During an interview with police on Nov. 24, Palumbo said he had some mixed drinks and beers and then went searching for a party on University Hill, according to a police affidavit. On the way he noticed a large group of people gathered in the street and decided to join. Police showed Palumbo a photo of him pushing on a van and apparently leaning heavily into it. He said he might have been preventing it from being rocked over but couldn't remember, according to the affidavit. Ekiko told police he saw Palumbo on top of the van and that he slid off and started rocking it.
Police say they have obtained more photos of the riot and anticipate making more arrests.
They say they have identified a sixth suspect but have not yet sought a warrant for that person's arrest. Photographs taken of the arrested suspects during the riots and tips helped police make the arrests. In the event of future rioting, Boulder police plan to intensify their efforts to videotape the riots. The Halloween rioting was the worst in Boulder since riots in May 1997, although police have been involved in smaller melees during Super Bowl celebrations and Halloween celebrations. Since the 1997 riots, police, students, university administrators, business owners and the city have worked together on riot prevention.