Officers had to establish a skirmish line to clear a large crowd that trashed a Metro train, a police car, and several businesses in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night.
A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson told KTLA that officers were summoned to the 1700 block of Trinity Avenue near Washington Boulevard about 10 p.m. after receiving allegations of trespassers.
“The group damaged a Metro train on Washington Boulevard. “They also vandalized some businesses in the area,” the official stated.
KTLA received video from the scene, which showed hundreds of vandals punching and spray painting the slow-moving Metro train as it came to a stop.
“Around midnight, approximately 50 trespassers blocked two A Line trains traveling northbound and southbound at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Maple Street, south of downtown Los Angeles,” Metro officials told KTLA in a statement. “The trespassers began spray painting both trains and gained entry into the southbound train, where they splattered paint on the interior. During the incident, no operators or passengers were injured, and service was delayed for around 20 minutes.”
Several people were also spotted vandalizing an LAPD police car, including posing for photos in front of it, throwing fireworks at it, kicking it, and spray painting it as officers began to drive away. Many people who weren’t actively participating in the damage were filming the commotion on their cell phones.
Graffiti was also scribbled on several surrounding businesses, including a Panda Express, a WaBa Grill, a dialysis clinic, and a medical complex.
Footage from the News Stringer Service OnSceneTV even features a firebreather entertaining pedestrians on the sidewalk. At least one guy was observed climbing a pole to gain a better perspective on the pandemonium from above.
Officers stationed in the area in riot gear eventually declared an unlawful gathering and formed a skirmish line. By 1 a.m. Sunday, the group had left the neighborhood, according to an LAPD official.
Metro stated that the LAPD is still investigating the incident and that anyone with additional information can contact LAPD Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).
There was no indication that any arrests had been made as of 3 p.m. Sunday.