2 officers hurt in Los Angeles Lakers victory clashes; downtown property damaged [Updated]

Los Angeles city officials and downtown L.A. merchants were assessing the damage Friday morning after unruly fans celebrating the Lakers victory in the NBA Finals rampaged through the streets around Staples Center.

The Los Angeles Police Department deployed a huge force of officers hoping to prevent the looting and violence that occurred after last year's Lakers championship win. But although the situation in and around Staples Center was calm, there were scattered problems elsewhere downtown.

Crowds broke windows of storefronts, jumped on cars, set at least 15 small fires and threw objects at police.

The LAPD reported 38 arrests. There were also several injuries, but the exact number was not clear.

An LAPD officer was hit in the head by an object apparently thrown at him and suffered a broken nose.

A Los Angeles sheriff's deputy was hit in the head with a rock at a light rail station platform, said Sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker.

At 7th and Flower streets, a crowd of more than 500 people surrounded a Metro bus and numerous people attempted to pull the bus driver out through the driver's side window, Parker said. Deputies deployed tear gas and sting balls, causing the crowd to disperse. They rescued the bus driver and the occupants of the bus.

A taxi driver was attacked, and his taxi was set on fire, Parker said. While rescuing him, rocks and bottles were thrown at deputies, who used sting balls and stun bags to break up the crowd, he said. They rescued the driver and, with the help of LAPD officers, took him out of the area.

Police fired non-lethal rounds to disperse a crowd at Figueroa Street and Venice Boulevard after several small fires were set. Fires were also set at 11th and Hope streets, and at 7th and Flower streets, a taxicab was engulfed in flames.

At least one person was beaten as fights broke out on Flower Street near Olympic Boulevard, officials said. A bicyclist was injured when struck by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department vehicle near 11th and Flower streets, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

At La Bella Cucina, in the 900 block of Figueroa Street, customers began throwing bottles, knocking over tables and stealing bottles of liquor, said restaurant manager Christian LaBella.

"I think it's pretty sad, especially when customers turn on you so quickly," LaBella said late Thursday. "They lost respect for themselves, they lost respect for the Lakers, and they lost respect for the restaurant. It's a shame for L.A."

"A lot of stupid, stupid people out here tonight," added Edward Lizama, 42, who lives in an apartment near 9th and Olive streets. "This isn't people having fun. It's ridiculous."

The violence broke out shortly after the game ended. The LAPD declared an unlawful assembly as people gathered along Figueroa Street near Olympic Boulevard. Hundreds of officers in patrol cars, on foot and on horseback moved in to clear streets and break up the crowds.

At 8th and Figueroa streets, fans and a phalanx of more than two dozen police wearing riot gear and wielding batons faced off. The standoff began when a bunch of fans tore down a traffic sign and then ripped out two newspaper stands and lighted the papers on fire. When the police marched up Figueroa, about two dozen abreast, the crowd slowly receded. Some people were throwing containers of energy drinks, which had been passed out for free after the win.

The YWCA at 11th and Olive was vandalized as taggers marked graffiti up and down the side of a wall. Another person upended a traffic sign and bashed in several windows. [For the record at 9:30 a.m.: A previous version of this post stated that a YMCA was vandalized. It was a YWCA.]

An LAPD cruiser pulled up and shined a light on the men. "Let's go. Night's over," an officer said through a loudspeaker.

-- Sam Allen, Tony Barboza, Hector Becerra, Andrew Blankstein, Paloma Esquivel, Robert Faturechi, Kate Linthicum, Robert J. Lopez, Joel Rubin, Abby Sewell and Ruben Vives

Photo credits: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times; Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Hi-res photos: A hard-fought series

Photos: Lakers vs. Celtics, Game 7

Photos: Lakers fans at Game 7 of the NBA Finals

Comments

[Ann]

Don't have the parade. If these idiots can't figure out that they are ruining their own city, if they can't figure out that the reputation of the team is at stake, if they can't figure out how to be civil human beings and celebrate in a positive manner...DON'T REWARD THEM WITH A PARADE! Basic parenting skills... and obviously we're dealing with children here...

[mjkbk]

If this had happened at any time of the year OTHER than following a local sports franchise championship, the Times would have published an array of riot stories. But somehow it has wound up being accepted by government and the media that 'happy' fans destroying everything in their immediate path is all part of 'winning' and 'celebration'.

It's not. It's drunken thugs terrorizing neighborhoods--and using a sports 'victory' for an excuse.

[BubbaGump]

Where was the pint-sized Mayor in all this? I'm sure Villar will try and take some credit for the victory while dodging any responsibility for the aftermath.

[tonye]

I don't condone the violence, BUT... do you think perhaps the LAPD unwittingly incited this?

Deploying "thousands" of police officers to "prevent a repeat of last year's violence" is almost an invitation for some of those morons to go do it again.

Perhaps, a lighter way to do this would be to close off the streets and declare a fiesta! Everybody likes a Fiesta. Give the people a place to congregate and celebrate and give them something to do other that yell at cops and go nuts.

Show up with only 100 cops, keep 1900 back in the station just in case and have a good time on Chick Hearn Court.

Bring along some loud mariachis, tacos, BBQ... but, hold off on the beer, eh?

[crys]

how can ya'll possibly assume the people that did the rioting are any kind of representation of the LA hispanic community? Its so stupid to make xenophobic and stereotypical remarks on a population that is BY FAR family oriented and hard working.

[Carlos Jobim]

After last year's rioting, the LAPD and LA gov't knew in advance what to expect, and should have been more proactive with crowd control:

the following guidelines would have made a big difference

1] far more officers on the street before the game to send a message

2] even heavier police presence on street starting at half-time

3] immediately breaking up groups of 12 people or more after game is finished

4] officers in every drinking establishment

5] requiring all bars & restaurants to hire security guards, enforce maximum drink limits, and stop serving alcohol after half time.

those establishments not willing to do so would be padlocked for the evening, by order of the LAPD & city.

[George]

Living at 11 and Grand, my wife and I watched the violence, and shook our heads. When did people decide that doing this kind of stuff was a way to "celebrate". I hope that, in the end, the people who did this to my home and neighborhood get caught, and thrown in jail for a long time. Maybe then they will consider doing this garbage ever again.
The Lakers should really make some kind of a statement about this kind of thing, since it's their "fans" who are the cause of this behavior.

[tonye]

Hey, "No reform"..

About those Mexican fans. waving Mexico's flag... duh!

Maybe they were celebrating Mexico's win over France in the morning. It almost guarantees that Mexico will move to the next round.

You know. "El Mundial", "The World Cup"...

You know, The Real Sport Thing That Is Happening Right Now (The Lakers being just a side show this time around).

Some people are sooo ethnocentric that it's scary.

[Unionman]

Attn: Chief Beck:
While your officers showed admirable restraint,
the next time this happens, put the pedal to the metal.
Billy clubs, stun guns and, if necessary, tear gas.
Meet force with force and give them an object lession they'll never forget.
Beat the crap out those thugs.
That's the only way you're ever going get their attention.

[smiley]

congrats lakers! i'm a mexican-american, born here in california, my mother born in texas, my grandfather born in texas, etc. don't stereotype all hispanics & don't assume all are here illegally. also, some hispanics aren't the only illegals here....there are other continents. i do agree people were acting stupid as usual here in l.a. also, there are world cup games & mexico beat france yesterday...so if someone wants to sport a mexican flag they can....big deal. moral here is don't judge all hispanics!

[Bella Hawco]

I used to live in LA moved to Chicago and I am glad I did. When the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup last week the fans acted with pride not stupidy.

[Joe]

Why is that a few knuckleheads always have to ruin a wonderful celebration? The reality is that the Lakers victory shouldn't require LAPD presence but it does. The L.A. Times should give all their photos to LAPD so that LAPD can identify and apprehend these idiots (e.g. punk pushing a a shopping cart on fire, punk burning a LADOT sign, punks destroying property).I don't what these punks' mothers and fathers taught them but in my "hood" it's common knowledge you don't do those kind of things. And don't call these punks Laker fans..they are not worthy. If they were fans, the would celebrate with the respect the Laker organization and real fans deserve.

Last night I watched the television coverage of the sheriff's presence on the streets in East L.A. and it was reported how for the most part it was under control. Give me a break! Again most neighborhoods don't need law enforcement presence because they know what's right and what's wrong. I'm not suggesting everyone in East L.A. is a knucklhead in fact I'm sure it's probably just a few that are disruptive but regardless any community needs to be mindful of this and help itself. Mr. Mayor and community leaders, don't embarrass yourselves and your community any further and take action.

These idiots are not worthy and should not be allowed to continue tarnishing the quality of life we all have an opportunity to enjoy in the Los Angeles area.

[Duped Tax Payer]

These are fans of the Mayor and Janice Hahn not Lakers. By the way why is the Mexican President not controlling these thugs? Oh there is a war on the other side. Thanks to ACLU and La Raza.

[Alfredo Diaz]

Hahahah here come the racist in waves. "get those illegals out of here" I wish people would just admit they are racists and stop calling it patriotism.

[newageblues]

alcohol or marijuana, whatdaya think?

[Danielle]

Since when did this become an immigration issue?? Ridiculous! This is a nothing more than a passel of under-educated drunken fools that decided to act up and deserve to have their behinds thrown in jail and forced to repair and repay the damages. I guess because they look Latino, then they must be illegal right? Get over it, your superiority complex just further proves your ignorance.

[femmelilith]

Let's not get turn this into a debate on immigration reform. What leads you to believe that illegal immigrants committed these stupidities? For all you know, it could have been your brother.

[Jeff K.]

Typical of a San Francisco poster to rip on LA and claim "this would never happen in Frisco [that term makes me suspect that you do not live in the City]. I realize it has been forever since a San Francisco team has won a championship, but I remember the 49'ers Superbowl victories in the Eighties. A majority of the rioters were white, but otherwise, pretty much the same scene.

[courtney]

unbelieveable! This is why we left L.A. They dont have resepct for themselves nor anything around them.! There all animals!

[lisa]

"I think it's pretty sad, especially when customers turn on you so quickly," . "They lost respect for themselves, they lost respect for the Lakers, and they lost respect for the restaurant. It's a shame for L.A."
"A lot of stupid, stupid people out there last night," commented a person who lives in an apartment near 9th and Olive streets. "This isn't people having fun. It's ridiculous."

[MK]

Ah, Laker fans - the Raider fan equivalent in the NBA. Way to show pride for your fine city!

[aetna888]

The people rioting were NOT representative of the vast majority of Lakers' fans and Angelenos. They are an embarrassment to the city and those folks who celebrated responsibly.

To all you LA haters - Don't kid yourself - this type of thing happens everywhere. Go to YouTube and check out Boston after the Celtics won in 2008. It doesn't happen in every city but it's not only LA.

[george]

wow all LAPD could round up was thirty something people with all that money they spent last night on overtime for officers hardly worth while

[CriticalThought]

@no reform. Mexico won their game in the world cup yesterday, that might be why people were waving their Mexican flags.
I live in downtown L.A and I saw no evidence that these acts were being perpetrated by "illegals". To make such a claim is just ignorance.
You want to talk about class and being sophisticated? Start by having enough sophistication of thought to realize that none of this stuff has anything to do with something as arbitrary as "race".

[kathryn]

I really just don't get it. What about being happy that your team won makes you want to beat up a bus driver or burn a taxi or trash the restaurant you're eating in?! Maybe they should have a cannabis collective or five open at Staple instead of selling so much alcohol? It should say on all these "people's" t-shirts..."instant idiot, just add alcohol."