The city of Tucson has rejected 23 claims filed by residents who say they suffered injuries or property damage during a riot last April.

Nearly $11 million in claims were turned down, ranging from $3 million sought by University of Arizona student Jeff Knepper, who lost his eye when he was struck by a police-fired beanbag, to a $570 claim by a man who says his wheelchair was damaged as he fled the melee.

"We feel that we're not going to lose a great deal of money," said Tucson risk manager Terry Anderson. "We have quite a bit of evidence on the people involved and I think we have good defenses for each and every claim."

Attorneys who filed the claims said the city's decision will prompt lawsuits.

Carl A. Piccarreta, who represents four people who filed claims, said he has already initiated the $3 million lawsuit against the city.

A Tucson attorney representing the city, along with representatives from the Tucson Police Department and the City Attorney's and Risk Management offices, reviewed each claim and finalized the ruling Wednesday.

The April 2 riot occurred in the downtown area after the UA lost the NCAA basketball championship game in Minneapolis to Duke.

Rioters overturned cars, smashed windows and set a recreational vehicle ablaze before police began clearing the street.

At least 40 people not participating in the riot were struck by ''less-than-lethal'' munitions, including beanbags, wooden dowels and flash-bang grenades fired by police officers trying to disperse the crowd.