Lakers Riot Hits Los Angeles

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LOS ANGELES (GaeaTimes.com)- In spite of a huge police presence from LAPD instances of sporadic violence and riots were reported near Staples Center after the Boston Celtics were beaten by the Los Angeles Lakers. The agitated crowd threw bottles and other stuff at the cops and broke marquees. They also smashed cars in the area and set some cars on fire, as the latest reports suggest. The riot broke out in Flower Street and Figueroa Street. To keep the agitated mob under control, the cops had to resort to firing non-lethal rounds. The crowd also engaged in fist fighting and one person was left senseless in the chaos.

Three injuries have been reported so far but no casualty has taken place. A cop was injured in the Lakers riots and his nose was broken in the riot. The fire crew had to be called in to douse the several small fires that were set by the mob. Just after the game was over, the LAPD declared assembly outside the stadium as illegal. To disperse the crowd hundreds of cops arrived in patrol cars at the place. A dozen people were taken into custody for damaging properties, setting fire and public drunkenness. Another person was arrested when he tried to assault the cops.

The LAPD came under fire earlier in 2000 when fights broke out after the Lakers won the championship. This year they fared slightly better as they did not allow assembly of large groups outside. In the restaurants near the stadium the customers went on rampage and they broke glasses and stole drinks. The riot has been brought under control.