Skateboarding event descends into violence as crowds set fire to parked cars, throw rocks and bottles and vandalize Fire Department vehicles in Dem-led Los Angeles
Skateboarding event descends into violence as crowds set fire to parked cars, throw rocks and bottles and vandalize fire engines in Democratic-led Los Angeles
- The second annual Hollywood skate jam erupted into violence on Saturday
- Police arrived as the crowd lit fires, set off fireworks and vandalized vehicles
A skateboarding event in Hollywood descended into chaos on Saturday as crowds lit fires, vandalized vehicles and set off fireworks.
F***ing Awesome World Entertainment teamed up with Adidas Skateboarding to host their second annual Skate Jam in Hollywood, which started off peacefully with skaters performing stunts over what looked like an old LAPD police car.
But the event erupted into disorder around 7:22 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said. KTL.
The crowd turned violent, setting trash cans on fire, throwing bottles, setting off fireworks and spraying graffiti on a Los Angeles Fire Department vehicle.
Video shows visitors jumping on the police car as small fires begin to grow. Eventually the car was completely overtaken by flames and photos of the aftermath show it completely burned out.
Those present jumped on the car in celebration
The event became unruly when people started lighting fires
As the fires grew, the crowd continued to grow violent in clouds of smoke, while one person crashed a motorcycle into the police car on one of the skate ramps.
One participant told the Los Angeles Times that people jumped on the car in celebration and smashed the fake windows before setting the car on fire.
The Skate Jam started with professional skateboarders such as Nora Vasconcellos, Mark Suciu and Daewon Song performing tricks and competing for prizes.
Part of the competition included several skating obstacles, including a launch pad above the LAPD police car.
The function, which was open to the public, saw doors open at 3.30pm and events at 5pm.
As the day progressed, video shows the crowd getting rowdy as the band Dead City Punx begins to perform.
The group starts moshing and breaking out into violence, while some people start setting off fireworks.
Through clouds of smoke, people can be seen around the fire as police helicopters fly overhead.
Eventually, LAPD and firefighters arrived on scene to disperse the crowd.
While on the scene, some officers were hit by rocks and bottles thrown by the crowd.
The event started as a skateboarding competition organized by Adidas Skateboarding and F***ing Awesome Entertainment
After it was set on fire, a charred car was left in the rubble
Authorities declared the gathering illegal and arrived at the scene in riot gear
As the crowd dispersed, bottles and stones were thrown at police
Graffiti covered the scene and even a Los Angeles Fire Department vehicle was destroyed
The number of LAPD officers peaked in 2009 and is currently at its lowest point in nearly 30 years
The city of Los Angeles continues to struggle with persistent crime stemming from the pandemic
LAPD reports that three unidentified people have been arrested and charged with vandalism.
The police department is facing an employment crisis and the number of officers and academy graduates is at its lowest point in nearly 30 years.
As the city struggles with growing homelessness and persistent crime, including mass robberies that swept the city this summer.