Four people were arrested at a pro-Israel peace rally in front of the Federal Building in Los Angeles Sunday after pro-Palestinian protesters also turned up and the two sides clashed. Toni Guinyard reports for Today in LA on Monday July 14, 2014. Credit: Jewish Journal of Los Angeles.
Four people were arrested at a pro-Israel peace rally in front of the Federal Building in Los Angeles Sunday after pro-Palestinian protesters also turned up and the two sides clashed.
At least one gunshot was fired by a Federal Protective Service officer, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office said.
Four men were arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The weapons were identified by the department as wooden flag poles.
Witnesses in Westwood said the confrontation included a scuffle between men who drove past the protest displaying a Palestinian flag and pro-Israel protesters. A witness captured the confrontation on video (scroll down to view) that shows.the pickup with its windows rolled down and passenger-side door open traveling past a crowd of people.
A man who said he was in the truck said the Palestinian flag was ripped away. When men from the truck attempted to retrieve the flag, there was a confrontation.
As several of the men tried to leave the scene, at least one gunshot was fired at the truck by the FPS officer.
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No one was struck by the gunfire.
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The shooting will be investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, assisted by the FBI, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.
Editor's Note: Police earlier told NBC4 that a Department of Homeland Security agent had fired at the truck. Police later said that it was an FPS officer that had fired.
NBC4's Toni Guinyard contibuted to this report.
