By Tiffany Williams –
Dozens of individuals were arrested on Sunday and face serious charges including attempted murder, arson, and a range of other crimes amid a chaotic day of violence and protests in Los Angeles.
In total, a joint effort by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), California Highway Patrol, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department led to 42 arrests, as confirmed by the LAPD early Monday morning. The allegations against those arrested encompass a variety of serious offenses, such as attempted murder, looting, arson, failure to disperse, and assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer.
According to the LAPD, among those arrested was a suspect charged with attempted murder who reportedly used a Molotov cocktail to attack law enforcement officers. In the course of maintaining crowd control, five police officers and five LAPD-mounted patrol horses sustained injuries, a situation that has raised serious concerns within the department.
“This violence that I’ve seen is disgusting,” remarked LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. “It’s escalated now. What we saw the first night was bad. What we’ve seen subsequent to that is getting increasingly worse and more violent.”
McDonnell also stated that demonstrators directed commercial-grade fireworks at officers, highlighting the danger posed by such actions. “That can kill you,” he cautioned, underscoring the escalation of threats faced by law enforcement.
The wave of arrests occurred during a third consecutive day of unrest in Los Angeles, fueled by demonstrations in response to recent federal immigration raids across Southern California. Over the weekend, at least 50 additional arrests were reported, indicating a growing trend of civil disobedience.
Tensions escalated dramatically after early afternoon protests outside a federal detention center in downtown Los Angeles. As the group faced off against a significant police presence, they eventually moved off the property and onto the nearby 101 Freeway, leading to increased confrontations.
Protesters resorted to throwing rocks, bottles, and other projectiles at police officers and patrol vehicles, with some individuals reportedly carrying larger rocks in backpacks, which they then broke into smaller, dangerous pieces to hurl. “I’ve seen civil unrest before, and generally, the second and third days are more violence,” McDonnell noted.
The LAPD found itself overwhelmed by the scale of the protests and the aggression displayed by demonstrators, which included attacks with Molotov cocktails, hammers, and stones. Several Waymo driverless vehicles were vandalized and set ablaze, alongside reports of looters breaking into a shoe store and other businesses located between Sixth Street and Broadway on Sunday.
In an effort to quell the unrest, the LAPD dispatched a cell phone alert to protesters regarding the unlawful assembly in the downtown area, urging those gathered to disperse.
Looking forward, a fourth day of demonstrations related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations was scheduled for Monday.
“We recognize that immigration enforcement operations can cause a deep fear and anxiety, particularly in immigrant communities,” McDonnell stated. “That’s why we’re committed to transparency, accountability and treating every Angeleno with respect, regardless of their immigration status.”
“Our job is to keep everyone safe. We will continue to support peaceful protests and enforce the law on criminal action. The LAPD supports and protects the First Amendment right to free speech We’re committed to treating every Angeleno with respect, regardless of their immigration status.”
McDonnell mentioned that he communicated with Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who indicated that he would pursue charges where appropriate.
On Sunday morning, approximately 300 federalized National Guard members were deployed to federal properties across Los Angeles, including the downtown Los Angeles Metropolitan Detention Center. McDonnell expressed that the LAPD has developed a strong working relationship with the National Guard, having collaborated closely during the Palisades Fire that began January 7.
During the protests on Alameda Street, National Guard members resorted to using tear gas canisters and smoke grenades against demonstrators. While this tactic temporarily dispersed the crowd, they regrouped just minutes later.
Governor Gavin Newsom, who typically requests the deployment of the California National Guard only on the conditional approval of local law enforcement, accused President Trump of attempting to create a media spectacle rather than addressing a genuine need for federal intervention.
The governor later announced that he had formally requested the Trump administration to rescind the unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County and return control of the troops to his command.
“We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” Newsom contended. “This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed.”
Gov. Newsom concluded with a direct call to action: “Rescind the order. Return control to California.”