Police tape blocked off Dixie Highway after one man was killed and multiple people were injured after an SUV collided with a TARC bus on Thursday evening. March 17, 2022 Jf Tarc 4l5a0415
Los Angeles, California – A wild scene unfolded in downtown Los Angeles late Saturday night as a large, unruly crowd vandalized Metro trains, a police vehicle, and multiple businesses, prompting a heavy police response and a declaration of unlawful assembly.
The chaos began around 10 p.m. on the 1700 block of Trinity Avenue near Washington Boulevard, where Los Angeles police responded to reports of trespassing. According to the LAPD, a mob began spray-painting and punching a Metro A Line train as it came to a stop. Video captured by KTLA shows dozens of individuals surrounding the slow-moving train, tagging its exterior and forcing their way inside to deface the interior.
Metro confirmed that by midnight, about 50 people had blocked both northbound and southbound A Line trains at Washington Boulevard and Maple Avenue. “The trespassers gained entry into the southbound train and sprayed paint on the interior,” a Metro spokesperson said, noting that no passengers or staff were injured, though service was delayed for approximately 20 minutes.
The disturbance quickly escalated beyond the trains. An LAPD squad car was swarmed, spray-painted, kicked, and targeted with fireworks. Some individuals posed for photos in front of the vandalized cruiser while others recorded the mayhem on their phones. Businesses including a Panda Express, WaBa Grill, a dialysis clinic, and a medical office were also tagged with graffiti.
Adding to the bizarre atmosphere, a firebreather performed on the sidewalk, and at least one person scaled a pole for a better view. Footage shows people dressed in party attire—some wearing pink platform heels and cat ears—filming themselves and the destruction.
By 1 a.m., officers in riot gear had formed a skirmish line and declared an unlawful assembly, eventually dispersing the crowd. Despite the extensive vandalism, no arrests were made as of Sunday morning, according to LAPD spokesperson Officer Kevin Terzes.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident and urge anyone with information to contact LAPD Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. The motive behind the gathering remains unclear.
Metro and the LAPD have vowed to review surveillance footage and witness reports as they work to identify suspects involved in the night’s disorder.
