76 people were arrested, over 30 buildings were damaged, and 8 police officers were injured after celebrations of the Lakers NBA win turned 'confrontational' and 'violent'
R
- 76 people were arrested after celebrations of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA title win in the city turned "confrontational" and "violent."
- Over 30 buildings were damaged and eight police officers were also injured, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
- Steve Soboroff, a police commissioner the LAPD, called the violence "disrespectful to Lakers past and present."
76 people were arrested, over 30 buildings were damaged, and eight police officers were injured after celebrations of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA title win in the city turned "confrontational" and "violent."
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said around 1,000 people gathered outside the Staples Center on Sunday night after the Lakers beat the Miami Heat and things turned ugly when a number of "unruly individuals" mixed into the crowd and threw glass bottles, rocks, and other projectiles at officers.
After trying to disperse the crowd, a portion of the group broke off and began "vandalizing businesses" and continuing to engage in violent behaviour towards officers, police said.
Two of the members of the crowd were injured by "less lethal munitions" — an alternate term for rubber bullets — fired by officers and were taken to local hospitals, while eight officers also received medical treatment.
Arrests were made for vandalism, assault on a officer, and failure to disperse.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted on Monday to thank those who celebrated at home, but said that "vandalism of businesses and public places, and causing harm to our officers will not be tolerated."
Steve Soboroff, a police commissioner the LAPD, also tweeted, writing that "real Lakers fans don't vandalize stores or attack police officers" while also calling the violence "disrespectful to Lakers past and present."
Read more:
LeBron James escaped the Lakers' locker room celebration to FaceTime his mom