Two people were injured when a U-Haul truck allegedly drove into a large crowd during an anti-Iranian regime protest in Westwood, Los Angeles, on Sunday afternoon.
The rally, scheduled for 2 p.m. outside the Wilshire Federal Building on the 11000 block of Wilshire Boulevard, drew thousands to show solidarity with ongoing protests in Iran, which activists say have resulted in more than 500 deaths.
The truck struck the crowd about a block from the Federal Building near Veteran Avenue and Ohio Avenue just before 3:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Paramedics treated two people at the scene, but neither required transport to a hospital. Firefighters initially searched for a third possible victim but later confirmed there were no additional injuries.
Authorities have not confirmed any arrests, though video posted on social media shows LAPD officers detaining a man pulled from the truck’s cab. Some demonstrators appeared to confront him as he was being taken away. Police said the driver, who has not yet been identified, is being questioned.
LAPD Major Crimes detectives are leading the investigation, with support from the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI, a senior LAPD source told CBS News. Officers remained on scene overnight, and the truck was towed shortly before 10 p.m.
The box truck displayed banners reading, “No Shah. No regime USA don’t repeat 1953. No Mullah.” Video showed demonstrators removing the banners after the vehicle stopped.
By 4:30 p.m., many demonstrators had begun leaving. The rally was scheduled to end at 4 p.m. Participants shouted slogans such as “Free Iran” and “End the regime” and carried a giant Iranian flag stretching nearly a block.
A SkyCal helicopter flew over the scene, where the truck stopped inside a large crime scene perimeter. The cargo area was empty with the door open, and investigators surveyed the area. The truck’s windshield and windows appeared shattered, with glass scattered across the street.
Leave a Reply