ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Today, the Prince George's County Police Department announced it was exonerated in a $9 million lawsuit filed by a now University of Maryland graduate who was hurt as police tried to break up a riot on the school's campus back in 2005.  

Stephen Lippenholz was a Sophomore at UMD when riots broke out following the school's basketball team's victory over Duke back in February 2005. Lippenholz says he was injured when he a non-lethal bullet struck his face as Prince George's County police broke up the raucous crowd. Lippenholz's nose was broken and he received more than 20 stitches.

In a statement released Thursday, Lippenholz said, "I was disappointed in the outcome of this case. I feel as if the evidence more than adequately proved my side of the story."

P.G. police, however, say they were just doing their job and protecting the college community.

"The Prince George's County Police Department will maintain order in our communities whether it be College Park, Langley Park, Riverdale Park, or Palmer Park or any other neighborhoods in our community because that's what our residents expect us to do," said Major Andy Ellis, Prince George's County Police.

But students on the UMD campus told ABC 7/NewsChannel 8 reporter Suzanne Kennedy that they still think the force used that night was excessive.

"I think that's a little unnecessary, granted they were rioting, but I think that's a little overboard--shooting kids with bullets," said Grady Chaltain, an UMD student.

"A bullet is a bullet regardless if it's non-lethal or not. I feel like bullets are used to hurt somebody regardless of whether it's the type that could kill them or stop them from rioting," said Lyndsey Hill, a UMD student.