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Police: 5 officers hurt in postgame Laker melees

Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:15 AM EDT
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Associated Press
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<p>Los Angeles Lakers fans cheer Sunday, June 14, 2009, in downtown Los Angeles after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)</p>

Los Angeles Lakers fans cheer Sunday, June 14, 2009, in downtown Los Angeles after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles police say five officers were hit by debris and had minor injuries in downtown celebrations that followed the Lakers' championship victory over the Orlando Magic.

Police Sgt. Andy Mathes says one of the officers was taken to a hospital and the others were treated at the scene during the scattered melees that erupted late Sunday night before the crowd around the Staples Center dispersed under orders from police.

What began as a lively but peaceful celebration took on a different tone for those remaining a few hours after the game. Some in the crowd vandalized buses and police cars, set small fires and threw rocks and bottles at police.

Police say 18 people were arrested for disturbing the peace, arson and other infractions.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Al 616

What the hell do people think gives them the right to cause property damage and act like rioting jackasses when it comes to sporting events?

The police should have put the firehoses on them.

  • 7 votes
Reply#1 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:43 AM EDT
Jekazu

I agree. I'll never understand why people do stuff like this.

  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:31 PM EDT
Reply
FutureS

Just plain sad, I'm all in for some gathering with friends and family to celebrate, but this is just wrong. Creating fires, damaging cars, and damaging private property are no ways of celebrating. Kind of makes me wish the lakers didn't win. I live here and this is just very sad to watch.

  • 4 votes
Reply#2 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:46 AM EDT
R. Donald Snyder

Idiots.

  • 4 votes
Reply#3 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:52 AM EDT
Lynn3765

I agree...this is ridiculous. It's bad enough people act like this when they are angry over some imagined slight but to do it in celebration? Damaging private property...I would love to hear these people try and justify the reason they have that right to damage private property when they are celebrating.

Would love to see the Lakers come out with a statement against the fans' actions(can't think of the right word).

  • 2 votes
Reply#4 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:45 AM EDT
R. Donald Snyder

I agree. When the Bronco fans got out of control when they won the super bowl, John Elway came out with a statement disavowing any of the violent fans as non true Bronco fans. It's a responsibilities of the teams and the team member to make public statements denouncing violence in the celebrations of sports victories.

  • 1 vote
#4.1 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 6:03 AM EDT
Lynn3765

Denounce..that was the word I couldn't remember :)

  • 1 vote
#4.2 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:56 PM EDT
Reply
Sarcas

Just shows basketball fans to be the thugs and scum that they are. Very much like the players themselves. Truly a game that appeals to the lowest elements of society.

  • 4 votes
Reply#5 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:37 AM EDT
Great Greg

Our President today, was voted in by these idioits.

  • 1 vote
Reply#6 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:25 AM EDT
WheresReagan2008

Bottom dwellers that don't think that being caught on camera smiling will be considered breaking and entry felonies:D I'm not sure how this celebratory rioting caught on, but it is an embarrassment to all citizens of the US.

  • 2 votes
Reply#7 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:06 AM EDT
Great Greg

These bottom feeders won't be arrested, the word illegal has a different meaning in our country today that's being overrun by ignorance

  • 2 votes
#7.1 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:13 AM EDT
magsby47

I know how it caught on - the influx of 20 million illegals into this country. They have brought all their bad habits with them, including this kind of mindless property damage, street racing (which just killed a young man in Orlando this past weekend) - and they refuse to assimimlate our culture. It's only going to get worse.

  • 1 vote
#7.2 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:58 AM EDT
Great Greg

To Obama illegals are votes.. Once a countries leaders are voted in by ingnorance, is when it starts to fail.

  • 1 vote
#7.3 - Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:21 PM EDT
R. Donald Snyder

To Obama illegals are votes.. Once a countries leaders are voted in by ingnorance, is when it starts to fail

What in the F does this have to do with basketball troll?

  • 1 vote
#7.4 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:51 AM EDT
Great Greg

R Donald, What the F does rioting have to do with basketball ? Stay on track ..

  • 1 vote
#7.5 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:22 AM EDT
WheresReagan2008

All too true, friends. Rioting has nothing to do with professional sports at all, that's why I'm so confused by why people choose this method of celebrating in the first place. And this happens almost with every championship, regardless of race. Look at the when Detroit Pistons won back to back NBA championships. I didn't see too many illegals there. It's just what ignorant, uneducated idiots do to feel cool and try to get a couple moments of notoriety.

    #7.6 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 12:18 PM EDT
    Reply
    Gators15

    It's difficult to fathom why they were damaging things un-necessary despite that their hometown basketball team winning the title. So lame and low of them, wild animals, jeez!

      Reply#8 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 4:14 PM EDT
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