Stabbing mars annual Syracuse Orange Madness celebration

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse ended its annual “Orange Madness” event at the Carrier Dome 30 minutes early after a man was stabbed during the celebration.

Police said the stabbing happened in an arena concourse at around 9:30 p.m. Friday. The 25-year-old victim was treated at a hospital.

Syracuse Police Sgt. Tom Connellan tells reporters there were at least 15,000 people at the event, which celebrates the start of the basketball season.

He says the decision to cut the party short came after there were several fights.

Connellan says that neither the fights, nor the stabbing, were believed to involve Syracuse students.

Syracuse Chancellor Nancy Cantor and Athletic Director Daryl Gross have issued a statement saying that steps would be taken to ensure better safety at future “Orange Madness” events.