3 federal agents reported injured in attack during downtown LA demonstration
Three federal officers were injured when protesters in downtown Los Angeles threw objects including rocks at them, authorities said.
Paramedics with Los Angeles Fire Department responded at about 1:40 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 near North Alameda and East Temple streets, where they took a 40-year-old man to a hospital, LAFD spokeswoman Lyndsey Lantz said.
The Los Angeles Police Department said the man was a federal agent who was attacked by several people during a demonstration.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Saturday and said two other federal officers were also hurt.
“On February 13, a group of about 200-300 rioters and agitators gathered outside in ICE building in Los Angeles. They threw objects including rocks at law enforcement. One ICE officer was hit in the head with a rock thrown and was injured,” the DHS spokesperson said in an email.
“Two Federal Protective Services officers were injured, one in the hospital with concussion and the other with a cut over his eye. The rioters remain at large,” the department added.
Police said the demonstrations began shortly before 12:30 p.m. Friday between Spring and Temple streets, near First Street, where several traffic lanes were obstructed.
At approximately 1:10 p.m., LAPD officers received reports of vandalism on Los Angeles Street near East Aliso Street, moments before demonstrators began walking northbound on Los Angeles toward the 101 Freeway.
Demonstrators then moved toward North Alameda Street between East Temple and East Aliso streets shortly before 1:25 p.m., where additional acts of vandalism were reported 10 minutes before police received notification of the federal agent being attacked.
“Assaulting federal law enforcement is a felony and a federal crime,” the DHS said. “Secretary Noem has been clear: Anyone who assaults or obstructs law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Law and order will prevail.”