LOS ANGELES, CA – On October 11th, what started out as celebrations within Los Angeles pertaining to the L.A. Lakers’ NBA title victory devolved quickly into an amalgamation of riotous behaviors in some portions and demonstrably foolish behaviors by others present.
An incident in which LAPD officers helped save the life of a man who they said accidentally blew off part of his hands with a pyrotechnic device after the Lakers’ NBA title victory came into sharp focus as the LAPD published video from the scenehttps://t.co/ed1venz3US
— KTLA (@KTLA) October 29, 2020
In regard to foolish behaviors, such is the case with the man that literally blew off a portion of his hands when handling some sort of firework or pyrotechnic device.
Luckily, police were on the scene to assist the young, and a quick-thinking officer quickly applied a tourniquet to the man’s arm. Just recently, the LAPD shared the video showcasing this officer rendering aid to the injured man.
Viewer Discretion Advised:
In policing there is one sure thing—no two shifts are ever the same. pic.twitter.com/l3S0895aUn
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) October 29, 2020
Officer Christopher Gonzalez is a former Army Ranger, according to the LAPD, and the video is coming from the perspective of his body worn camera when he renders aid to the injured individual.
While we can see that the person is clearly bleeding profusely from both hands, the severity of the injuries depicted were blurred out.
Despite a scene ongoing in the background of rioters, vandals and the ilk – officers were devoting their full attention to the serious self-inflicted injuries of the young man. While applying the tourniquet to the individual, officers were telling him to stay awake.
Obviously, injuries of that nature – namely when appendages are severed – it isn’t uncommon for people to become something akin to delirious, which the individual appeared to be dealing with several forms of trauma in those moments.
When EMS arrived on the scene, Officer Gonzalez could be heard detailing a summary of the injuries sustained by the man:
“Left hand is like, gone… bleeding from the right. I couldn’t find a source and …and he has a 1-inch wound on his left groin that he’s holding gauze over.”
The man who had injured himself has not been identified by authorities, nor was his current medical status either. However, had Officer Gonzalez not been where he was when he was – things could’ve turned out far worse for the injured man.
What occurred on the evening of October 11th was of course more than just a man losing a portion of his hands following Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA Championship for the first time in ten years.
Certainly fans rushed to the stadium in celebration of the event.
But then, the looting, rioting and attacks against police started happening.
Laker fans looted, rioted & attacked police to celebrate their title last night. But aside from the looting, rioting and attacking of police, it was mostly peaceful. https://t.co/s8UjzCPMc3
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 12, 2020
Local leaders had urged all fans not to congregate and stay at home for their celebrations because of the pandemic.
However, many people defied that order, much like they do at large protests and riots. Democratic Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti sent out a tweet reminding people to stay home:
“As we cheer our @Lakers’ 17th championship, please remember it’s still not safe to gather in groups.”
Lakers fans trashing police cars pic.twitter.com/Koi9Rk5jvr
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) October 12, 2020
Hundreds of fans were seen around the Staples Center despite local leaders’ orders for there not to be a large gathering and to stay away from the arena.
In order to lessen the ability to get to the stadium, the California Highway Patrol closed interstate exits to the downtown area to prevent people from going toward the Staples Center.
Of course, it did not take long for the people, not social distancing and few wearing masks, to become unruly. Several people began blocking off the streets in order for motorcycles and other vehicles to do spin outs.
In addition, video of the area showed several people who were attempting to damage a marked Los Angeles Police vehicles by kicking out the windshield. Shortly afterward, the police declared an unlawful assembly and ordered the crowd to disperse. The LAPD said:
“Unruly individuals mixed within the crowd began throwing glass bottles, rocks, and other projectiles at officers. That is when an unlawful assembly was declared, and only a limited number of people complied and began to disperse.
A larger portion of the group broke off and began vandalizing businesses while continuing to engage in violent behavior, some aimed at responding officers.”
Officers moved in to disperse the crowd and ordered people to leave the area. Those who refused to do so were arrested.
Other people began attacking the police by throwing champagne bottles at them. Police promptly defended themselves by firing less lethal munitions which sent the crowd, and the attackers, running.
In all, 76 people were arrested and over 30 buildings and businesses were damaged during the celebration aftermath. Eight officers were injured, and three rioters were taken to the hospital for medical treatment after being struck by less lethal munitions.
Despite the numerous fans that were out and celebrating in downtown Los Angeles, other people were disgusted that the event was going on given the restrictions in place because of the pandemic. One twitter user, Abigail Shrier, said:
“This is the city that won’t allow my children to go to school-even distanced, with masks, desks cubicled with Plexiglas.”
This is the city that won’t allow my children to go to school—even distanced, with masks, desks cubicled with plexiglas. https://t.co/AIuVWFz9jB
— Abigail Shrier (@AbigailShrier) October 12, 2020
Elated fans had hoped and prayed for this championship after the untimely death of NBA great Kobe Bryant. Bryant and his daughter were killed while they were flying in a helicopter which crashed on the way to a basketball game.
The NBA played a shorten and condensed schedule this year out of concern for the pandemic spreading. The games were played in a ‘bubble’ in Orlando and no fans were allowed to attend them.
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