According to KTLA**December 31**On Saturday, personnel from 11 different law enforcement agencies were dispatched to the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance to deal with a mass riot involving about 1,000 teenagers, resulting in five people**.
Pictured: Screenshot of KTLA news headline
At around 5 p.m. on Saturday, police spotted a group of teenagers exhibiting vandalism while patrolling the mall on foot, according to a press release issued by the Torrens Police Department in the early hours of Sunday. Torrance** said more teens continued to congregate at different locations throughout the region and showed signs of increasing confusion after police assisted in addressing the initial chaotic youth population.
A Torrance Police Department officer was injured in the chaos, prompting the department to request assistance from a large number of personnel from neighboring law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Police Department, Inglewood Police Department, Hawthorne Police Department, Gardena Police Department, El Segundo Police Department, Palos Verdes Manor Police Department, Culver City Police Department, Manhattan Beach Police Department, Hermosa Beach Police Department, Redondo Beach Police Department, and others. In addition, the LAPP's air support unit also dispatched a *** aircraft to assist the ground personnel.
Picture: Screenshot of KTLA News**
"Eventually, a skirmish line was formed between the two sides and a dispersal order was issued to the juveniles," the Torrens Police Department said. They were taken away from the shopping mall, away from the surrounding commercial districts. ”
When the young men were ordered to leave, the police responded to 34 different businesses that had gathered more groups and needed to be evicted. Confirmed: "In this incident, it was learned that two people were injured. A teenager was slightly injured and a Torrens police officer was slightly injured. "Both have already received ** on the spot.
There were five youths (three women and two men) **although there were several reports of teenagers littering bottles, but there were no reports of robbery or major vandalism.
The incident prompted the mayor of Torrance and the Torrens police chief to issue statements about the mass riot, calling the incident sad and unacceptable, while praising the authorities' response.
George K., Mayor of Torrance"When teenagers come into the community and cause harm and destruction, we're already in a very sad state," Chen said. Premeditated, organized robbery and destruction of property by a juvenile or adult is unacceptable. We can do better, and we must do better. Our community appreciates the coordination and response of the police department and its regional partners. ”
"The lawless behavior we have witnessed does not reflect the values of the Torrance community, and the Torrance Police Department and our district law enforcement partners remain committed to quelling these riots and restoring order as quickly as possible," said Sheriff Jay Heart. ”
Due to the riots, the Del Amo fashion center closed early on Saturday. Torrance Police Department officers will continue to patrol the mall using marked police cars, motor vehicles and officers patrolling on foot.