CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A 19-year-old was charged with carrying a concealed gun without a permit during the UNC Basketball celebration in Chapel Hill Saturday night, police said.
According to the Chapel Hill Police Department, Jahari Rayeson Taylor, 19, of Chapel Hill was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed gun without a permit and carrying a concealed gun after consuming alcohol.
Police said Taylor had a gun near the intersection of Franklin Street and Columbia Street during Saturday night's UNC Basketball victory celebration.
Officers said Taylor was released on a written promise to appear in court.
Chapel Hill Town Manager Maurice Jones issued a statement about the celebration and said an estimated 35,000-40,000 people took to the streets in downtown Chapel Hill to celebrate the Tar Heels' big win.
"I want to thank our staff, our partners, and many members of our community for their hard work in providing a safe environment for tonight’s celebration of the UNC Men’s Basketball Team’s historic victory over Duke in the Final Four," Jones said in the statement. "This was undoubtedly a monumental victory in what is the biggest rivalry in all of college basketball. Because of that, we experienced one of the largest celebrations in our community’s history."
Jones said public safety staff treated 10 people with injuries, with four being taken to the hospital. None of the injuries were serious, according to officials. Officials also reportedly responded to multiple bonfires near the Franklin and Columbia intersection.
"We will now turn our attention to Monday night’s championship game between UNC and Kansas," Jones said. "While all of us will be cheering Carolina on to its seventh national title, we ask again, that fans who join us on Franklin Street after the game celebrate in a safe and appropriate manner."