Dozens of arrested in Los Angeles after the violence after the victory of the Lakers

About 80 people were arrested and eight police officers were injured Sunday night in downtown Los Angeles after Lakers fans were unleashed after the team’s 17th NBA championship, police said Monday.

“What began as a largely peaceful celebration of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship in downtown Los Angeles turned into violent, destructive and confrontational behavior last night,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement.

He said about 1,000 revelers gathered around Staples Center, the Lakers’ home stadium, after the team dominated the Miami Heat 106-93 to win the record-matching championship.

“Rebel individuals mixed with the crowd began throwing glass bottles, stones and other projectiles at the officers,” the statement said.

“It was then that an illegal assembly was declared, and only a limited number of people complied and began to disperse.

“A larger part of the group broke up and began destroying businesses while continuing violent behavior, some directed at responding officers.”

Authorities said more than 30 buildings were damaged in the violence that followed and 76 people were arrested for vandalism, assault on police and failure to disperse.

Video footage from the riots showed police in riot gear firing non-lethal rounds into the crowd. Several people in response threw objects at the police and some tried to damage police vehicles.

Authorities had urged people not to gather at the center before the game due to restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the fact that the game would not be broadcast on screens outside of the arena.