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LAPD: Anti-ICE Rioters Use Frozen Water Bottles to Injure Federal Officers in Downtown LA

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Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said Tuesday that high school students suspected of injuring two federal officers during anti-ICE riots on Feb. 13 used frozen water bottles as projectiles, as reported [1] by The New York Post.

McDonnell disclosed the detail during remarks at a Police Commission meeting while outlining protest activity in the city since Feb. 9.

He said unidentified suspects threw frozen water bottles at two Federal Protective Service officers assigned to guard the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles during what he described as a violent anti-ICE confrontation.

The projectiles struck both officers, “resulting in one officer sustaining a head injury and one officer sustaining a laceration above the right eye,” McDonnell said.

In a separate incident at the same protest, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was hit in the head with a rock, causing an injury, according to Department of Homeland Security officials.

No arrests have been made in either case. Reports were filed for assault with a deadly weapon in both incidents, McDonnell said.

According to the chief, approximately 200 students took part in a school walkout and anti-ICE demonstration that escalated on Feb. 13.

Students from Thomas Jefferson High School, Maya Angelou Community High School, and the Santee Education Complex were directed through social media to take Metro Transit and gather at the Santee Education Complex.

The group marched to City Hall before continuing to the Federal Building on Los Angeles Street.

McDonnell said participants “began to bang on windows and doors near the entrance” before moving toward the federal detention center, where demonstrators “flooded the loading dock area and were confronted by Federal Service Protection agents.”

“Members of the group threw frozen water bottles, striking two Federal Protective Service agents,” McDonnell said of the confrontation that followed.

The chief said no LAPD personnel were injured and no arrests were made during the Feb. 13 incident.

Image Credit: Hayk_Shalunts - Shutterstock.com [4]
LOS ANGELES – MAY 30, 2020: Unidentified Participants Vandalizing Police Car During The Protest March Against Police Violence Over Death Of George Floyd.

Video recorded during the protest showed a large group of demonstrators surrounding officers, who drew Tasers and pushed protesters back down the street.

Another clip captured a demonstrator swinging a pole at an agent, striking him at least twice. Additional footage showed an officer wrestling with a woman before she was pulled back by the crowd and appeared to leave the scene.

McDonnell also referenced a separate planned walkout and anti-ICE demonstration held in downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 9.

He said students at that event threw water bottles as well, though no injuries were reported and no arrests were made.

The Feb. 13 protest was part of three consecutive Fridays of anti-ICE demonstrations in downtown Los Angeles. During those events, teens were seen burning flags, vandalizing buildings, and throwing objects at officers.

Last week, McDonnell urged students to remain in school and avoid dangerous protests following three weeks of demonstrations in which both officers and protesters were injured.

The Los Angeles Police Department also warned that “there may be legal consequences for parents and students” if students skip class to participate in protests.

Far-left activists have encouraged students to join demonstrations opposing ICE. A group calling itself “Dare To Struggle SoCal” urged students to leave class and “rebel against” federal agents.

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has faced controversy over remarks critical of ICE but has also urged students to stay in school amid the recent walkouts.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli released photographs of two teenagers suspected of attacking ICE agents during the Feb. 13 protest and said those involved would face prosecution.

“Violent agitators will be criminally prosecuted, juveniles included,” Essayli said.