This story was updated at 10:40 a.m. on Feb. 8, 2025.
A teen was hospitalized after being stabbed in downtown L.A. on Friday during a protest over President Trump’s immigration policies.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Officer Drake Madison said reports of the incident at Gloria Molina Grand Park near City Hall came in around 1:30 p.m., where a large group of demonstrators, mostly students, had gathered.
The victim, a 17-year-old male, was transported to a hospital, police later said in a press release. A post by LAPD Central Division’s X account said the victim was in critical condition.
Madison said multiple people had been detained as of 2:20 p.m. but no formal arrests had been made.
A video feed from KTLA 5’s helicopter showed a fight taking place at the park where protesters convened Friday afternoon. A crowd of teens gathered around the victim until authorities arrived at the scene.
Video on social media showed the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) arriving with an emergency gurney to transport the victim.
LAPD’s Central Division temporarily closed the 6th Street Bridge to traffic after demonstrations formed. It is unclear if the protests were connected.
The protest, which appeared to be led by students, was the fourth in a series of student walkouts this week and among more demonstrations throughout Los Angeles.
Students have been using social media to connect and share details of planned walkouts. At rallies this week, students waved signs and chanted calling for an end to mass deportations in the U.S.
In a statement acknowledging the incident on Friday, the Los Angeles Unified School District said, “While we support the rights of our students to advocate for causes important to them, we are gravely concerned for their safety at off-campus demonstrations and encourage them to remain on our campuses.”
The district added it was providing students with opportunities for expression on campus.
