U-Haul Truck Drives Into Los Angeles Protest Crowd, One Hurt, Driver Detained
A U-Haul truck drove into a crowd of protesters in Los Angeles’ Westwood neighborhood on Sunday, injuring at least one person and sparking chaos at a rally supporting anti-Iran demonstrations.
The situation escalated quickly as hundreds of demonstrators were gathered outside the federal building when the box truck entered the crowd, forcing people to scramble to safety and prompting an intense response from attendees.
According to local police, one protester was struck and treated at the scene, and two others were evaluated by paramedics but declined further care. LAPD officers detained the adult male driver near the scene amid a growing crowd, and the truck was left with shattered windows and mirrors after protesters surrounded it.
Authorities later confirmed the driver was being held pending further investigation, with Capt. Richard Gabaldon saying the incident is being reviewed as a possible assault with a deadly weapon. It was unclear if formal charges had been filed.
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Video from multiple outlets showed demonstrators attempting to reach the driver and striking the vehicle after it stopped, with police forming lines to keep the crowd from advancing.
Why it matters…
The protest was part of a broader wave of demonstrations in support of Iranians protesting their government, and the Los Angeles rally drew hundreds in a neighborhood home to one of the largest Iranian-American communities in the U.S.
Police did not immediately release the motive behind the truck’s movements, and investigators from LAPD and the FBI continued working to determine whether charges will be pursued.
What happens next…
Authorities are reviewing footage, statements and witness accounts as they assess possible charges and try to clarify what led to the vehicle entering the crowded demonstration.
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