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Chaos erupted in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night (May 24) when a large mob vandalized a Metro train, a police car, and several businesses. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded to reports of a group trespassing in the 1700 block of Trinity Avenue near Washington Boulevard around 10 p.m. According to a spokesperson, the group vandalized a Metro train on Washington Boulevard and several local businesses, including a Panda Express and a WaBa Grill.
Video footage obtained by KTLA shows vandals spray-painting and hammering on the windows of a slow-moving train. Around midnight, approximately 50 trespassers blocked two A Line trains at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Maple Street, delaying service for about 20 minutes. The vandals gained entry to the southbound train, spray-painting its interior. Fortunately, no passengers or Metro employees were harmed.
The mob also targeted an LAPD squad car, shooting fireworks at it, kicking it, and spray-painting it while officers attempted to drive away. Many bystanders recorded the chaos on their cell phones. The LAPD, equipped in riot gear, eventually declared an unlawful assembly and formed a skirmish line to disperse the crowd by 1 a.m. Sunday.
Despite the extensive vandalism, no arrests were reported as of Sunday afternoon. The LAPD is continuing to investigate the incident and urges anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).