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Eight officers injured, 76 arrested in L.A. after Lakers victory celebration turns dangerous

Police say arrests were made in connection with vandalism, assaulting a police officer.

Published: October 12, 2020 1:20pm

Updated: October 12, 2020 6:20pm

Police say 76 people were arrested and eight officers injured Sunday night in downtown Los Angeles after the city's NBA Lakers team won the professional basketball league's 2020 championship.

Those arrested face such charges as failure to disperse, vandalism and assault on a police officer, police also said.

In addition, more than 30 buildings and businesses were damaged, according to the Associated Press

Two people in the crowd were taken to hospitals after being injured by so-called less lethal munitions fired by officers, police also said a statement.

An estimated 1,000 people participated in the victory celebration, which was reportedly peaceful at the start but became unruly when people joined in and started throwing glass, bottles, rocks and other projectiles at officers, police said in the statement.

The Lakers beat the Miami Heat 106-93 Sunday night in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., to win the NBA Finals in six games.

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