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Law Enforcement In Los Angeles Uses Tear Gas Rubber Bullets And Flash

Bonisiwe Shabane
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law enforcement in los angeles uses tear gas rubber bullets and flash

As protesters against federal immigration raids have clashed in recent days with law enforcement, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Division sent out a warning: “Less Lethal munitions have been authorized,” officials wrote on X, ordering crowds in Downtown Los Angeles to disperse. “Less lethal munitions may cause pain and discomfort.” Police have used a standard variety of tools to disperse crowds and quell protests that had devolved into violence, with protesters lighting self-driving cars on fire and two motorcyclists driving into a skirmish line... A Molotov cocktail was also thrown at officers, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell alleged, condemning the “disgusting” violence. Authorities have responded with force.

So far, CNN has documented the deployment of flash-bangs, tear gas, pepper balls, rubber bullets and bean bag rounds, as well as more traditional gear such as batons. These weapons – often described as “less lethal,” “less-than-lethal” or “non-lethal” – are those “explicitly designed and primarily employed to incapacitate … while minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to personnel, and undesired damage to property,... LOS ANGELES — Police began shooting stun grenades and rubber bullets, then turned to tear gas, after ordering a crowd to disperse following a demonstration outside the downtown Federal Building late Saturday afternoon. The gathering there was separate from the local “No Kings” event held earlier as part of nationwide rallies to counter President Donald Trump and the policies of his administration on a host of issues. Seven hundred Marines have been activated and are preparing to deploy to Los Angeles where they will join National Guard troops ordered to protect federal personnel and property in response to protests over immigration... President Donald Trump said the guard, sent over the objections of local and state leaders, would restore order after clashes between police and protesters angry at his aggressive pursuit of undocumented immigrants.

Videos of the protests have shown both peaceful gatherings and chaotic skirmishes with protesters hurling objects and law enforcement firing so-called “less lethal” weapons. This ammunition is designed to travel more slowly than bullets and cause pain without penetrating the body, but still can cause serious injury and death. Police departments across the country are increasingly adopting less-than-lethal weapons in the wake of police shootings in which unarmed citizens were killed, according to a January 2025 report by the Congressional Research Service. Some examples include: Here's a look at key events over the last few days and various munitions being used by law enforcement: Homeland Security agents detained several people outside a Home Depot west of downtown L.A., and later at a clothing store in the Fashion District.

People gathered to photograph and video the officers, and a few protesters also arrived. Four search warrants were executed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a spokesperson for Homeland Security told the Los Angeles Times. At least 44 people were arrested. Tensions in Los Angeles escalated Sunday as thousands of protesters took to the streets in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s extraordinary deployment of the National Guard, blocking off a major freeway and setting self-driving cars on fire as law enforcement used tear gas, rubber bullets and flash bangs to control the...

What U.S. police are using to corral, subdue and disperse demonstrators A police officer aims a weapon amid smoke during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 8, 2025. A police officer aims a weapon amid smoke during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 8, 2025.

REUTERS/Mike Blake Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles began deploying “less lethal” munitions on June 8 as they clashed with crowds protesting federal immigration raids. “Less lethal” or “less-than-lethal” weapons are designed to cause pain and discomfort, normally to disperse hostile crowds, but have caused serious injury and death in the past. Factbox-What Are the 'Less Lethal' Weapons Used by Law Enforcement in Los Angeles Protests? FILE PHOTO: The 101 Freeway is reopened and littered with debris from yesterday’s protest, including 40mm Flash Bang canisters, after it was closed down yesterday by protesters, after the California National Guard was deployed... President Donald Trump as a response to protests against federal immigration sweeps, in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 9, 2025.

REUTERS/Jill Connelly/File Photo WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles began deploying "less lethal" munitions on Sunday as they clashed with crowds protesting federal immigration raids. "Less lethal" or "less-than-lethal" weapons are designed to cause pain and discomfort, normally to disperse hostile crowds, but have caused serious injury and death in the past. Here is a list of the less lethal weapons that have been deployed in Los Angeles in recent days, according to Reuters witnesses, the Los Angeles Police Department, and a police expert who has... Truth matters. Community matters.

Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now. They show federal immigration agents on the streets of downtown Los Angeles, Paramount and communities across L.A. County, masked and in tactical gear, facing off with demonstrators.

As crowds protested the sudden presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies on the streets of Los Angeles, law enforcement officers responded in some cases with tear gas, pepper balls and rubber... Some protesters reported injuries and accused federal law enforcement of excessive force. But seeking accountability for a federal agency is challenging.

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As Protesters Against Federal Immigration Raids Have Clashed In Recent

As protesters against federal immigration raids have clashed in recent days with law enforcement, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Division sent out a warning: “Less Lethal munitions have been authorized,” officials wrote on X, ordering crowds in Downtown Los Angeles to disperse. “Less lethal munitions may cause pain and discomfort.” Police have used a standard variety of tools to dispe...

So Far, CNN Has Documented The Deployment Of Flash-bangs, Tear

So far, CNN has documented the deployment of flash-bangs, tear gas, pepper balls, rubber bullets and bean bag rounds, as well as more traditional gear such as batons. These weapons – often described as “less lethal,” “less-than-lethal” or “non-lethal” – are those “explicitly designed and primarily employed to incapacitate … while minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to personnel, and undesired ...

Videos Of The Protests Have Shown Both Peaceful Gatherings And

Videos of the protests have shown both peaceful gatherings and chaotic skirmishes with protesters hurling objects and law enforcement firing so-called “less lethal” weapons. This ammunition is designed to travel more slowly than bullets and cause pain without penetrating the body, but still can cause serious injury and death. Police departments across the country are increasingly adopting less-tha...

People Gathered To Photograph And Video The Officers, And A

People gathered to photograph and video the officers, and a few protesters also arrived. Four search warrants were executed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a spokesperson for Homeland Security told the Los Angeles Times. At least 44 people were arrested. Tensions in Los Angeles escalated Sunday as thousands of protesters took to the streets in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s...

What U.S. Police Are Using To Corral, Subdue And Disperse

What U.S. police are using to corral, subdue and disperse demonstrators A police officer aims a weapon amid smoke during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 8, 2025. A police officer aims a weapon amid smoke during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 8, 2025.