Violent Lakers Fans Vandalize Outside Staples Center

LOS ANGELES -- Scattered incidents of violence and vandalism occurred outside of Staples Center less than an hour after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

A vandalized car outside Staples Center

Among thousands of revelers, small groups of rowdy fans acted out of hand. At Flower Street near Olympic Boulevard orange cones were lit on fire. Moments later Los Angeles police officers used their batons to push hundreds of people out of the way so they could put out the flames. This reporter was struck in the back with a baton.

At about 9:45 p.m, on Flower between 7th and 8th St., dozens of Lakers fans shook a green cab while the driver was still in it, presumably because of its color. After the green cab sped off, a white cab, which was a few cars behind the green one, was struck by baseball bats and sticks by the same group of fans. The cab driver ran out and moments later the car was lit on fire. (See video shot by FanHouse below)

Some people were jumping on cars and breaking windows.

According to the Los Angeles Times, numerous people were throwing bottles at police. Police fired non-lethal rounds to disperse the crowd at Figueroa and Venice Boulevard after several small fires were set, as well as at 11th and Hope streets.

Share The Times also reported that one person was beaten unconscious as fights broke out on Flower Street near Olympic Boulevard.

Overall, most of the thousands of fans surrounding the downtown area were chanting, dancing and giving high fives to one another. Fireworks were also lit. For the most part, the LAPD seemed to be well prepared and had things under control.

(Note: Profanity can be heard in the following video)