A man drove onto the steps of Los Angeles City Hall on Friday afternoon and barricaded himself inside a vehicle while holding what appeared to be an oxygen tank — triggering evacuations, street closures and a SWAT response before being taken into custody.
The incident began around 4:08 p.m. when LAPD Security Services Division officers responded to reports of a suspicious car parked on the sidewalk outside City Hall along Spring Street between First and Temple, according to Public Information Director Jen Forkish.
Police said the driver, described as a middle-aged man, refused repeated commands to exit the vehicle.
Additional LAPD resources, including SWAT, were deployed to establish communication and seek the man’s voluntary compliance, Forkish said.
Officers urged the public to stay away from the area “out of an abundance of caution.”
After prolonged talks with crisis negotiators, the man was taken into custody, according to KTLA-TV.
Earlier, LAPD confirmed that the car had mounted the steps of City Hall near Broadway and that the driver was holding what appeared to be an oxygen tank.
Two handwritten signs were displayed on the dashboard.
One read, “Don’t Want To Hurt No Body,” while the other said, “I NEED UR HELP D TRUMP U.S. VET,” police said.
City Hall staff and people in the surrounding area, including Grand Park, were evacuated. Streets around the civic center were blocked off while the situation unfolded.
Mayor Karen Bass said she was being kept updated.
“I’ve been briefed on the ongoing incident outside of City Hall, which is currently being evacuated out of an abundance of caution,” Bass wrote on X.
“I want to thank all first responders who are at the scene — my office will continue to monitor the situation.”
Aerial footage from local news helicopters showed the vehicle positioned at the top of the steps as officers surrounded the building.
Authorities said there were no reports of weapons or explosives inside the car. No injuries were reported.
The LAPD has not released the driver’s name or motive.
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