An investigation is underway into the violent attacks at Royce Quad at UCLA, which the university’s chancellor has called “a truly despicable act.”
In a notice sent to the UCLA community on Monday, May 6, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said identifying those responsible for the violence on campus remains an important priority.
“To that end, is leading a law enforcement investigation to identify the perpetrators of the violence and hold them to account,” he wrote.
“The LAPD has committed a detective to assist in our investigative efforts, and we have also connected with the FBI about possible assistance,” Block said. “We have spoken to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón to solicit his help in ensuring that the instigators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
faculty and staff members encamped with the Palestinian supporters.
The attack was carried out by dozens of masked assailants and continued into the early morning hours of May 1. The group set off fireworks that detonated in and around the encampment, and there were reports of pepper stray and bear repellent being deployed. Representatives of the pro-Palestinian encampment said more than a dozen people were injured, primarily due to the exposure to pepper spray.
A UCLA Ph.D. student, who wanted to be known only by his first initial due to concerns of retaliation, was inside the encampment the night of the attack. G was at the encampment till 9 p.m., after which he left as the mood began to escalate and protesters began to defend themselves against the attackers. He returned around 1 a.m.
“It was really chaotic as soon as I got there,” G said. “I went to the front lines, and it was pretty chaotic while I was there. It’s all a blur. I tried to lend my support however I could.”
The UCLA Police Department, also known as UCPD, is reviewing surveillance footage for clues.
“Braziel and I have directed UCPD to invest whatever resources are needed to conduct a rapid and thorough investigation into the violent attack,” Block wrote in his notice. “UCPD is currently reviewing all available footage from last Tuesday night and speaking to witnesses who were present. We urge anyone who saw the violence firsthand or who has information about the attack to report it as soon as possible.”
That night, and into early the next morning, confrontations broke out as pro-Israel counter-protesters attacked members of the “Palestinian Solidarity Encampment” — with law enforcement failing for hours to restore peace. That prompted the cancellation of classes.
In the wake of the attacks and arrests on campus, a new Office of Campus Safety was created under the direction of Block and is headed by Braziel.
The Office of Campus Safety is reviewing UC Police Department’s response to the attack and conducting an analysis of UCLA’s security protocols. It is assessing all acts of violence that has occurred on campus over the past 12 days. Braziel is expected to create a plan that establishes additional means of protecting students, staff and visitors on campus.
“Holding the instigators of this attack accountable and enhancing our campus safety operations are both critical,” Block wrote. “Our community members can only learn, work and thrive in an environment where they feel secure.”
Two days after the violence, .
Gov. Gavin ɫ̳om and other elected officials have called for an investigation into the law enforcement response to the attack on the encampment. UC President Michael Drake also said the university system would be conducting an audit of UCLA’s actions and responses to the encampment and the attack.
The UC announced Tuesday it was hiring 21st Century Policing Solutions — a police-tactics consulting firm — to lead the university system’s independent investigation of actions taken at UCLA that culminated in last week’s violence.
“Our campuses must be places where our community members can safely engage in the University of California’s mission of teaching, research, and public service,” Drake said in a statement. “This independent review will provide us with more information to shore up our ability to protect our community members and their rights while keeping them safe from harm. The Regents and I look forward to the findings.”
Southern California ɫ̳ Group staff writer Emily Holshouser contributed to this story.
