A U-Haul truck drove into a large crowd of demonstrators during an anti-Iranian regime protest in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, injuring two people and sparking a major police investigation. The incident occurred near the Wilshire Federal Building where thousands had gathered to show solidarity with ongoing protests in Iran that have now claimed over 500 lives in the country.
The rally was scheduled for 2 PM outside the federal building on Wilshire Boulevard, drawing thousands of Iranian-Americans and supporters protesting against the Islamic Republic's crackdown on demonstrators. The truck drove into the crowd about a block from the Federal Building near the intersection of Veteran Avenue and Ohio Avenue at approximately 3:30 PM, sending protesters scrambling for safety and creating scenes of chaos.
Paramedics who responded to the scene reported that two people were treated for injuries but declined transport to the hospital. Firefighters initially searched for a third person who may have been injured but later confirmed there was no additional victim. The relatively low number of serious injuries was described by witnesses as remarkable given the size of the crowd and the speed at which the truck approached.
The driver of the truck was immediately detained by protesters and later taken into custody by Los Angeles Police Department officers. At a press conference Sunday evening, officials announced that the driver was being treated in the hospital for injuries sustained during his apprehension and will likely face charges of attempted assault with a deadly weapon. The LAPD Major Crimes division is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI.
Investigators noted that the box truck was covered in banners displaying anti-regime slogans opposing both the Shah and the current Iranian government. Despite this political messaging, officials stated they do not currently believe the incident was politically motivated or an act of terrorism, but rather stemmed from an altercation within the crowd. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to determine the exact circumstances that led to the incident.
The protest was part of a wave of demonstrations held across the United States in support of Iranians who have been protesting against the Islamic Republic for nearly three weeks. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 583 people have been killed in Iran since the unrest began, with more than 10,000 arrested. The protests, which began as economic grievances over rising prices and unemployment, have evolved into a direct challenge to Iran's clerical leadership.
The incident in Los Angeles comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, with President Trump warning that the U.S. would intervene if the Iranian regime continued killing peaceful protesters. Iran's parliament speaker responded by warning that the American military and Israel would be considered legitimate targets if the United States strikes the Islamic Republic, further escalating the war of words between the two nations.
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