Violent mobs descended across Los Angeles Wednesday night after the Dodgers’ World Series victory, with rioters burning a transit bus and looters ransacking businesses while police in the Democrat-run city unable to maintain control.
“Several businesses” were vandalized and looted during the unrest, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Around 11 p.m., aerial footage from ABC 7 showed dozens of people streaming in and out of a boarded-up Nike store roughly four miles from Dodger Stadium, carrying looted merchandise to waiting cars.
Take a look —
Celebration Time – COME ON!!
Here's fans 'celebrating' the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the World Series by looting and burning the liberal-controlled city!
Just another day in Gavin Newsom's California! pic.twitter.com/ANGMPmxxgP
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) October 31, 2024
#LosAngelesChaos erupts at #LA #Dodgers parade as Fans celebrate World Series win with looting, fires, and clashes with police; a bus was set on fire as fans looked on and recorded the burning vehicle.#DowntownLA #LosAngeles
The #LADodgers clinched their second World Series… pic.twitter.com/cBYuzABRCD
— know the Unknown (@imurpartha) October 31, 2024
Looters in Downtown Los Angeles carry out boxes of shoes from the Jordan Store #Dodgers #Looting #Looters #DTLA #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/WtjE8GguL0
— Arrow (@arrowhead03) October 31, 2024
A mob of 200-300 rioters set fire to a Metropolitan Transit Authority bus around 12:35 a.m., about a mile from the stadium. Videos showed arsonists climbing atop the graffiti-covered bus and setting off fireworks inside before it became fully engulfed in flames.
“Let’s go, Dodgers!” the mob shouted over helicopter and police siren noise as the bus exploded, shooting flames skyward. Firefighters arrived at 12:45 a.m. to find only the vehicle’s charred frame remaining.
Officers faced “violent and hostile celebrations,” with crowds pelting them with rocks, bottles and fireworks, according to LAPD spokesperson Officer Drake Madison.
Police used less-lethal munitions to try and control the crowds.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned that “violence will not be tolerated” as the city rioted after the Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in Game 5 in New York.
“LAPD is currently on tactical alert and has activated a strategic plan to protect communities and businesses, which includes proactive deployment and a coordinated strategy with regional partners to ensure that all Angelenos are able to celebrate safely,” Bass said.
The Dodgers plan to commemorate their championship Friday with a ticketed stadium event and downtown parade. Police say detectives will work to identify those responsible for criminal acts during the overnight unrest.