Communities across South Los Angeles were thrown into chaos all weekend after a series of illegal street occupations from Saturday into Monday resulted in fires, looting and the death of a 15-year-old boy.
Neighbors in South Los Angeles said they feel these illegal gatherings are out of control and getting more violent and destructive each time.
Two 15-year-old boys were engaged in an illegal street occupation near 54th Street and Western Avenue early Saturday morning when they witnessed what appeared to be a robbery, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The two boys were shot and killed as they tried to flee the scene, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The boys were taken to a nearby hospital, where one of them died from his injuries.
In a separate incident in the Manchester Square area early Monday, video from the scene showed Los Angeles Police dispersing a crowd of more than 300 people after a car was set on fire.
A few hours later, in a robbery on another street, people broke into a nearby Wingstop restaurant at Manchester Avenue and Avalon Boulevard, where employees told NBC4 that chicken and bottles of water were stolen.
Residents are extremely concerned about the increase in violence resulting from street occupations.
“They’re just going to come and take over your property if you’re not here,” Compton resident Janice Johnson said.
Video taken near Johnson’s home showed the car again changing lanes near the intersection of Rosecrans and Central streets over the weekend, despite signs in the road to prevent cars from rolling over.
“We pay enough taxes that they can have some oversight. It’s as if they can’t do anything,” Johnson said.
The Compton Sheriff’s Department said it is forming a special task force of 10 deputies and two sergeants dedicated to occupying the streets of Compton.
“Anytime an incident like this is occurring, we also need the cooperation of the community to call the police department and report it,” said Gabriela Robles, head of the Compton Sheriff’s Office.
The Los Angeles Police Department said it also has a special operations unit.
Authorities want to remind people that street protests are illegal. Anyone who attends or participates could be subject to charges or jail time. In Compton, the sheriff’s department said spectators could face charges of up to $2,000.
The Los Angeles Police Department is urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the LAPD Homicide Unit at 323-786-5100, or to remain anonymous call 1-877-527-3247.