Sandy MaloneLos Angeles, CA – Celebrations of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday night quickly turned into violent riots that left countless businesses decimated.
Fans spilled into the streets of Los Angeles after the Dodgers defeated the Rays in Game 6 of the championship series, and it didn’t take long for joyous celebrations to become violent, KABC reported.
Los Angeles police declared an unlawful assembly just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday and ordered crowds in a large area of downtown to disperse.
Terrifying cell phone video footage showed what happened when a tractor trailer got caught in the gridlock caused by the madness.
The video showed dozens of people vandalizing the truck and climbing on top of the trailer while the driver was trapped in his seat, surrounded by a riotous mob.
Rioters tore open the doors on the side and back of the truck and began distributing the contents of the trailer to the crowd, the video showed.
BLM is a criminal organization. Riots, looting, intimidation.
👉 Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/WQH8HGIiuW
— Oh boy what a shot (@ohboywhatashot) October 28, 2020
LOS ANGELES: looting also took place on the west coast as this food truck was attacked by local rioters
pic.twitter.com/hIpYJl393F— ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) October 28, 2020
Some people shot off commercial-grade fireworks from the street that exploded between the high-rise buildings, KABC reported.
#Dodgers #LADodgers #DodgersWin #dtla #southpark #DodgersNation #Champs #LATogether #craycray #Congrats Dodgers #CHAMPIONS #HappyTuesday pic.twitter.com/TxJpwsY92M
— Coco – MSN,RN🏳️🌈🇵🇭🇺🇸💊🩺💉 (@fishcoco) October 28, 2020
Police said rioters started a bonfire near Flower and Ninth Streets, and then threw glass bottles at responding officers, KABC reported.
Numerous businesses were vandalized and looted including a Foot Locker, a Mike’s Jersey Subs restaurant, a Walgreens, and a COS store.
Ok Los Angeles. You are grounded. Businesses were smashed and looting took place in #DTLA. No championships for 5 years. Now go to your room. #sad pic.twitter.com/1G3Dcbvl7j
— Jay Flats (@JayFlats) October 28, 2020
Several police vehicles were seen covered in spray-painted graffiti and one occupied police car had its back window shattered by rioters, KABC reported.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officials said three officers were injured during the mayhem.
LOS ANGELES: as much as this city is falling apart due to poor policies
The @LAPDHQ is exceptionally good at handling civil unrest
I’ve never experienced better deescalation tactics at riots/protests than in this city
Phenomenal policing.
pic.twitter.com/HhQjYxqlNd— ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) October 28, 2020
Officers arrested eight people during the chaos but details on their charges weren’t immediately available, KABC reported.
A large section of Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles was shut down until after 11 p.m. when the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued an order to disperse.
Dodgers fans did burnouts in the middle of intersections downtown and in Pacoima and video captured the moment that one vehicle caught fire after it ran over and exploding firework.
Car doing spins at a riot in Los Angeles caught on fire. pic.twitter.com/Zj2i7nwUdK
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) October 28, 2020
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD Chief Michel Moore urged fans ahead of the big win to celebrate the Dodgers at home, KABC reported.
“As we celebrate this incredible @Dodgers victory tonight, we need to remember that COVID-19 is still here and still dangerous,” Garcetti tweeted. “Please don’t host or attend victory parties, or gather in large groups to celebrate. Let’s keep L.A. safe.”
As we celebrate this incredible @Dodgers victory tonight, we need to remember that COVID-19 is still here and still dangerous.
Please don't host or attend victory parties, or gather in large groups to celebrate. Let's keep L.A. safe.
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) October 28, 2020
Chief Moore tweeted a common theme with his congratulations to the team after the game was over, KABC reported.
“Now let’s all make them proud by celebrating with class and style,” the police chief wrote.
Despite massive amounts of damage to public and private property across the city, the riots that accompanied the Dodgers’ World Series win were far less violent than those that followed the Lakers’ big win on Oct. 11.
Eight police officers were injured and 76 people were arrested when thousands crowded Figueroa Street to celebrate the Los Angeles Lakers winning the National Basketball Association (NBA) championship.
Holly Matkin
