Task Force To Look At UCF Tailgating After Shooting
POSTED: Monday, September 26, 2005
UPDATED: 1:51 pm EDT September 26,
2005
A task force will discuss the future of pre-football game tailgating after a University of Central Florida police officer was shot and killed by Orlando police before Saturday's game.
Mario Jenkins, an officer who had been working with state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco agents to curb underage drinking, died after being shot Saturday by a retired Orlando police officer working on reserve status.
Witnesses said Jenkins confronted a group of teens who were drinking and the ensuing confrontation led to a physical scuffle with other students. Jenkins fired shots into the air to presumably gain control of the crowd and then was shot by the Orlando police officer. He died after the shooting and another UCF student was wounded.
Administrators are now looking at what, if anything, needs to change before University of Central Florida football games, Local 6 News has learned.
Monday, on campus most students said they hearts go out to the fallen officer but they hope to continue their tailgating tradition.
"It was unfortunate but nevertheless, things like this happen," student Rochelle Rubeis said. "You don't expect it but I think it would ruin tradition."
The names of the task force were expected to be released Monday afternoon, Local 6 News reporter Samantha Knapp said.
The task force is expected to come back with recommendations about what needs to be done by next home game on Oct. 8, Local 6 News has learned.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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