Pro-Abortion Protester Burns Los Angeles Cop with Makeshift Flamethrower
Pro-abortion protesters reportedly assaulted four Los Angeles Police Department officers with projectiles, fireworks, and a makeshift flamethrower during a “Night of Rage” organized after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday.
Michael Ortiz, 30, was arrested on attempted murder charges after allegedly burning a police officer with a makeshift blowtorch Friday evening, according to the Los Angeles Times. He was in custody as of Sunday with bail set at $1 million, according to the outlet.
The unnamed officer went to the hospital for burn injuries and was released.
Another protester, 23-year-old Juliana Bernado, was arrested after allegedly resisting arrest, according to the outlet. Bernando allegedly grabbed a police officer’s baton and an officer fired a “less than lethal” hard-foamed round at her. She was released after posting bail of $25,000, the outlet reported.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore released a statement Friday about protesters calling for a “Night of Rage” against reproductive advocacy groups, federal courthouses and religious organizations, according to CBS Los Angeles.
“The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is working closely with our Federal, State and local partners to assess and identify any potential threats related to this group and any other groups that may attempt to harm the public,” he said.
Moore also condemned the attacks against police officers.
“Individuals participating in such criminal activity are not exercising their 1st Amendment rights in protest of the Supreme Court decision, rather, they are acting as criminals. The department will vigorously pursue prosecution of these individuals,” he said in a statement, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Protests impacting Los Angeles traffic continued through Saturday and Sunday.
The LAPD told National Review there was no update on the state of the injured officers.
