Fireworks Set Off Toward Vienna Officers Injure 2 Near Homecoming Event

VIENNA, VA — Two Vienna officers were injured when fireworks were set off in officers' direction during a large student gathering in Vienna Friday night.

Around 9:20 p.m. Friday, Vienna Police responded to a fight involving a large crowd of high school students at the McDonald's at 544 Maple Avenue West. The McDonald's is close to Madison High School on the night of the varsity football homecoming game.

According to police, officers were checking the area when an unknown person set off fireworks toward officers. Two officers were injured by the fireworks, were treated on scene and returned to duty.

Officers dispersed the crowd with help from Fairfax County Police and Virginia State Police. A pepperball system, a projectile similar to pepper spray, was used to clear people refusing to leave. There were no reported injuries from the pepperball use, according to police.

Detectives are working to identify those involved in the fireworks.

"The Vienna Police Department takes this assault on its police officers seriously and encourages anyone with information related to the incident to come forward," Vienna Police said in a statement.

The police department's non-emergency number is 703-255-6366.