Lakers celebration turns ugly as police, motorists come under attack

The Los Angeles Lakers victory in the NBA championships ended on a sour note as Los Angeles Police Department officers clashed with rowdy fans.

The LAPD brought large numbers of officers into the Staples Center area hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's looting and violence. But fans went on a rampage in some parts of downtown L.A., throwing rocks, shattering windows, rocking cars and setting fire to at least one vehicle and several other objects.

At Figueroa Street and Venice Boulevard, police fired less-than-lethal rounds at fans after they overturned a city parking enforcement vehicle and set fire to orange fire cones. On the LAPD's tactical frequency, officers at the intersection were heard requesting permission to fire  projectiles at a group of men throwing chunks of concrete at them. The permission was granted.

Among other incidents:

--The YMCA at 11th and Olive was attacked by crowds who smashed windows and tagged walls with graffiti.

--Crowds rocked and jumped on cars around Figueroa Street and nearby roads.

--A KCAL-TV Channel 9 news van was attacked by a crowd, which smashed its windows.

--Groups were seen in several downtown locations knocking down news racks, throwing bottles at officers, setting off firecrackers and defacing signs.

The LAPD was making numerous arrests, but the exact number was not immediately available.

Police were able to clear the areas around Staples Center and the L.A. Live shopping complex. But the crowds moved into surrounding neighborhoods, causing problems. Some fans ran onto the freeway.

Police Chief Charlie Beck expressed general satisfaction with the way the massive police force was handling the challenge of dispersing 20,000 people and tamping down several violent groups.

"Obviously, some people didn't heed our admonishments to celebrate safely, but unlike last year this has never gotten out of control. This has been a controlled exercise in crowd control. Unfortunately, we've had to manage some people more than we would have wanted."

--Robert Faturechi, Kate Linthicum, Andrew Blankstein, Ruben Vives, Abby Sewell, Sam Allen, and Hector Becerra.

Comments

[Rob]

Tell you what--don't ever sit and wonder why you hear "BEAT LA" chants in sports venues in other cities.

THIS is the reason. Unfortunately, it has nothing to do with jealousy.

[Mark Carey]

From what I saw on television, it looked to me like those were not Laker fans that had just exited the Stapes Center. I believe those were neghborhood losers out for an excuse to riot and perhaps looking for a case of police brutality under the camers so they could sue the City. I doubt most of those idiots could even afford a ticket to that game.

[golakers]

The police should have been firing live rounds into the crowd.

The people on the streets were just low lifers and anarchists as well as gang members. Kill 40 - 50 of them and the rest will flee. Who needs those losers???

[Gary Williams]

Laker fans show their typical class, sad of all of the residents of L.A.

[Dana]

These so called "fans" are barbarians! What the hell is wrong with these people?! They ruin it for everyone else. I've never been a Laker fan or any real sports fan for that matter, but when it comes down to it of course I'd rather my home team win. I just don't get the violence because of victory theory. Can someone fill me in?

[Jones Burrow]

Real live hooligans in LA. It's like the gauntlet scene in Escape From New York. Need car with bars welded around the windows.

[twotimetuna]

DON'T FIX ANYTHING

LEAVE IT LIKE IT WOULD BE IN MEXICO

OBAMA WANTS THIRD WORLD

HE'S GOT IT

[Drfreeze]

Now i think they should ban any games at that staple center and just get rid of it or just sell the lakers team to a diffrent state......

What a bunch of morons.....

Should send a $1000.00 fine to every one there at the game...

Wish they would have lost!!!

[SeeJae]

Funny how Tony Villar won't come out and condemn his fans and I bet you wouldn't see that activity in ARIZONA! Gotta got to work to pay taxes, to fix the mess that all of those upstanding citizens made, who we know don't work! Be nice if the Laker organization, took a proactive stance against the so called fans, but money takes priority. Again, you wouldn't see that activity in Arizona, just saying.

[heatherfeather]

To Dallas: The mindset is stained and tainted. Stupidity. The only words they understand are "me" and "now". They are not human, but Human-form Parasites, bent on destruction and fulfilling their need of the moment.

Crowds of them are very dangerous. They only answer to a crowd of Human-form Parasites are machine gun nests and mortars. Spray the remains off the street with high-pressure hoses. The loss of these THINGS would have no negative impact on society.

[Deni]

MEXICANS

[LA To OC]

they just act like the animals they are...

[elf]

The Lakers have absolutely nothing to do with the action of their so-called "fans." The morons in the streets were not Laker fans, they were just thugs and hoodlums looking for any excuse to display their sub-human behavior. What could the Lakers have possibly done, short of tanking the season and ensuring they don't get into the playoffs, to prevent thousands of jerks from fighting and destroying property? The answer is absolutely nothing.

The rioters did not riot because the Lakers won and they would not have rioted if the Lakers had lost. They rioted because they wanted to. There is no cause-and-effect, just a lame and unacceptable excuse.

[Robert Sleepen]

Viva la Raza Baby.

[Gerald Green]

Just imagine if the Lakers would have lost! Would be way worse. Don't blame our classy LA team for 100-200 morons.

[Viva Arizona]

Lakers : 1
Los Angeles: 0

[Shallon]

The L.A.P.D Rock!!! Can't People just enjoy a little pride in their home team without going out and being a jack ass! Do you think you are actually bringing honor and pride to our team by celebrating like wild primates? I think not!

We celebrated, peacefully, and enjoyed it as much as the next person. But we where able to look at ourselves in the mirror in the morning.

[Joe Kumpf (escaped from the zoo aka LA)]

WOW, LA has really pushed the boycott of Arizona, maybe the world should boycott LA.

Another example of how clueless and classless LA really is!!!!

[CHA]

Idiots! It's a low level person with a miniscule educational background who walks around with a Lakers Jersey 3 sizes to big and a very limited view of the world.
I'm ashamed of these people. One day they will grow up and realize what a waste of human beings they are.

[Archie]

From what I could tell, it was one very specific kind of "Lakers fan" that was acting like hoodlums after the game. Just like last year. It was the Mexican fans, let's be honest. I don't say that to be prejudice. That's just the truth. The Channel 9 chopper when straight to East LA to show the rioting after the game, and it was ALL Latinos.

[BullsFirstLakersSecond]

I wonder if Artests' psychiatrist is available for LA fans? It's disgusting how many lack the respect for police, authority and civility. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR CULTURE!?? Jerry West must be glad he is gone.

[chub chub]

Yeah, last comment is pretty good "had to manage people more than we wanted"...hell, I want my life back too.

[adm454]

These scum use any excuse to riot and destroy. If the Lakers had lost, they would have done the same thing. The problem is, they think they can get away with it and usually do. Most of them will stop only when they realize they will be arrested, fined, jailed and forced to pay for the damage. But we all know that will never happen, especially in Kalifornia.

[Lakers suck]

Lakers suck and their fans are a bunch of tards.

[sama]

I wonder how many of the hooligans were white?