Large group vandalizes several businesses and Metro trains in downtown LA

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Several businesses, Metro trains and a police vehicle were vandalized in a chaotic scene early Sunday morning in downtown Los Angeles, according to police.

It happened just after midnight when the Los Angeles Police Department received a call about a "large group disturbance" at Trinity Street and E Washington Boulevard.

Police said more than 300 people gathered for an unpermitted rooftop event at what appeared to be an abandoned building.

According to video obtained by Eyewitness News, things escalated quickly when officers were on the scene.

Police said officers had to fire rubber bullets after they issued multiple warnings to clear the area. Officers reported illegal fireworks, drug use, and public drinking.

According to Metro, about 50 people blocked two A Line trains heading northbound and southbound at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Maple Street, just south of downtown.

"The trespassers began to spray paint on both trains and gained entry into the southbound train and sprayed paint on the interior of the train," Metro said in a statement.

Metro said no train operators or passengers were injured, and service was delayed for about 20 minutes.

The crowd eventually dispersed after more officers were called to the scene.

No injuries were reported, and no arrests have been made.

On Monday, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass condemned the chaos that ensued over the weekend.

"We cannot do this. We cannot do this in our city, and it has to be stopped. We have to be very aggressive about it, because we will never send the signal that maybe this is acceptable behavior," Bass said. "It is unacceptable under any and all circumstances, and those people that perpetrated this have to be held accountable to the full extent of the law."

Bass said she was speaking with the LAPD chief to discuss what's being done to identify and arrest those responsible.