Police admit baseball death blame

Ms Snelgrove died a few hours after police acted to quell riots

Police in Boston have admitted "full responsibility" for the death of a student during baseball celebrations.

Victoria Snelgrove, 21, was hit by a pepper spray projectile when Wednesday night celebrations turned violent and she died a few hours later.

Police commissioner Kathleen O'Toole said the force was "devastated" and two officers had been placed on leave.

Police had acted to quell rioting after the city's Red Sox beat the New York Yankees to advance to the World Series.

"The Boston police department accepts full responsibility for the death of Victoria Snelgrove, an Emerson College student who would have turned 22 next week,'' said Ms O'Toole.

She was a bystander. She was out of the way, but she still got shot Rick Snelgrove, father

"This day, which should have been one of celebration, is heartbreakingly tragic," she said.

"I can't imagine the grief that her family is suffering and express my deepest sympathy to them."

Rick Snelgrove, the victim's father, said: "What happened to her should not happen to any American citizen. She went to celebrate with friends, she was a bystander. She was out of the way, but she still got shot."

'Punks'

Up to 80,000 fans had swarmed on to the streets around the Red Sox ground of Boston's Fenway Park to celebrate the victory over the Yankees, and the greatest comeback in World Series history.

The force is devastated, said police commissioner O'Toole

The festivities turned violent as property was vandalised and cars were burnt. Seven people were arrested.

Video footage from the scene showed large crowds but no sign of rioting. Ms Snelgrove, a journalism student, was lying on the ground with blood running down her face.

The police have subpoenaed all television footage of the after-match celebrations and rioting.

Ms O'Toole said there would be a "thorough and swift investigation of our actions".

However, she also condemned the "punks" who "turned our city's victory into an opportunity for violence, mindless destruction and pointless mayhem".

"These people own a portion of the responsibility for [Ms Snelgrove's] death. We will hold them responsible for those actions to the fullest extent of the law.''

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said city officials had met with representatives of Boston's colleges to urge them to take greater measures to control students.

The mayor is considering a ban on alcohol sales around Fenway Park when the World Series gets under way against the St Louis Cardinals on Saturday.