Breaking: a lot of skateboarders have set fire to a police vehicle. Police calling unlawful assembly. pic.twitter.com/5oWdLpCu5aA skateboarding event in Hollywood over the weekend descended into a violent riot as attendees fought, burned cars, and assaulted police officers.
F***ing Awesome World Entertainment and Adidas Skateboarding hosted the city's second annual Thrasher Skate Jam, which featured skateboarders competing by performing tricks over an old Los Angeles Police Department vehicle.
— LaSombritaWithNews (@ACatWithNews) September 10, 2023
Professional skateboarders, including Nora Vasconcellos, Mark Suciu, and Daewon Song, were among those competing for prizes.
Three hours into the event, around 7:22 p.m., chaos broke out as the crowd turned violent and began lighting fires, vandalizing a police car, and lighting fireworks. Chaos Erupted at Thrasher Skate Jam @CitizenApp Skateboarding event descends into violence as crowds set fire to parked cars, throw rocks and bottles and vandalize Fire Department vehicles in Dem-led Los Angeles
Hollywood Blvd & N Cherokee Ave Sep 9 9:40:43 PM PDT
"Crowds of people were seen surrounding a raging fire ignited in the parking lot as heavy smoke billowed into the sky," KTLA reports. "Officers in riot gear created a skirmish line to force everyone out of the area and towards Hollywood Boulevard."
The second annual Hollywood skate jam erupted into violence on Saturday.
Police arrived as crowds ignited fires,… pic.twitter.com/w9DW9RGgt2
— AɯƙɯαɾԃMαɱα™® (@Aspiemama_107) September 11, 2023 Second annual ‘Trasher Magazine x Fucking Awesome Skate Jam’ ends in flames. Hollywood, CA #LAPD #LAFD #LosAngeles #Fire pic.twitter.com/WY421O14h5 A skateboarding event in LA spiraled into chaos as attendees began setting parked cars on fire, vandalizing vehicles, and hurling rocks and bottles.
— RightNowViews (@Right_Now_Views) September 10, 2023
F***ing Awesome World Entertainment partnered with Adidas Skateboarding to host the second annual Skate Jam in Hollywood. pic.twitter.com/oc49PL0tn7
— BoreCure (@CureBore) September 11, 2023
As police tried to break up the crowd, they were pelted with rocks and bottles.
It is unclear what prompted the violence, but it began while the band Dead City Punx was starting to perform. The Los Angeles Times reports, "The California-based band has a history of fiery and raucous street shows that sometimes attract thousands of fans and end in clashes with police."
Three people were arrested and charged with vandalism.
