Dozens Arrested During Clash Between Protesters, Anaheim Police
SANTA ANA (CBS) — At least 24 demonstrators were arrested Tuesday night during yet another clash between police and protestors in the wake of two officer-involved shootings.
The near-riot erupted after a fire marshal turned away a crowd of roughly 200 that was trying to get into a 5 p.m. Anaheim City Council meeting.
By 9 p.m., roughly 250 riot police were called in to quell more than 600 demonstrators on Anaheim Boulevard.
Protestors kicked police cars, broke windows at a Starbucks coffee shop, and threw glass bottles, rocks, and pieces of wood with nails at officers, officials said.
Some people in the crowd wanted a peaceful demonstration, but others were chanting, swearing and yelling at police.
"We want a peaceful demonstration, but when the cops are pushing us off because they want to show that they have control, then they start hitting us with their batons," one demonstrator told CBS2/KCAL9 reporter Louisa Hodge. "They hit a woman when we were just standing there voicing our opinion."
The scuffle between police and residents comes after two fatal officer-involved shootings that took place over the weekend in Anaheim.
On Saturday, Manuel Diaz, who police described as a documented gang member from Santa Ana, was approached by officers around 4 p.m. in the 600 block of North Anna Drive. Police said Diaz, 25, and his two companions ran off, but an officer shot him when he reportedly threw an unidentified object. However, no weapons were found at the scene. Diaz died at a hospital several hours later.
Diaz's family has filed a $50 million legal claim and accompanying suit against the city, alleging he was first shot in the back, then in the head when he fell to his knees.
On Sunday, Anaheim police fatally shot 21-year-old Joel Mathew Acevedo at the end of a stolen-vehicle pursuit. Acevedo, an alleged gang member, reportedly fired at officers before he was fatally shot.
Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait said Monday he was "very, very concerned with what occurred in our city on Saturday night."
Tait asked the state Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office to help investigate the shooting.
Related:
Anaheim Residents Hold Vigil, Demand Answers Following Deadly Shooting
Gunman Killed In Second Fatal Anaheim Officer-Involved Shooting In 2 Days
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