The euphoria of a Dodgers World Series victory quickly dissolved into chaos late Saturday night as celebrations erupted into unrest in downtown Los Angeles. What began as jubilant street parties transformed into a dangerous scene, with police officers facing a barrage of projectiles.
Fireworks, some described as “industrial size,” and bottles rained down on law enforcement attempting to manage the crowds near Olympic Boulevard and Grand Avenue. The situation escalated rapidly, forcing police to authorize the use of less-lethal munitions and, ultimately, tear gas to restore order.
An official statement confirmed the deployment of CS gas, explaining the decision was made to protect officers under attack. The air filled with smoke, punctuated by the relentless crackle of fireworks and the screech of tires as impromptu street takeovers added to the pandemonium.
Visuals from the scene depicted officers clad in helmets and gas masks, struggling to contain the unruly celebrations. Smoke billowed from the streets, obscuring the jubilant atmosphere with a haze of tension and conflict.
The unrest wasn’t limited to confrontations with police. A Waymo vehicle on Sunset Boulevard was found vandalized, its windows shattered and covered in graffiti, a stark symbol of the night’s descent into disorder.
The celebrations had initially erupted following a thrilling Game 7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers secured a 5-4 win in extra innings, fueled by a dramatic go-ahead home run from catcher Will Smith in the 11th inning.
Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, having started Game 6, played a crucial role in securing the win, pitching 2.2 innings of relief and closing out the game with a game-ending double play. His performance cemented the Dodgers’ hard-fought championship.
This victory marked a historic moment for the Dodgers, achieving back-to-back World Series titles – a feat not accomplished since the New York Yankees’ dominance in 1999 and 2000. The initial joy of this accomplishment was tragically overshadowed by the ensuing unrest.
