Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Comedy Twitter Takes Shots At The Guns And Drugs Found At Hollywood's Abandoned iO West Theater

By Mike Roe & Elizabeth Muñoz
Hollywood's iO West comedy theater was supposed to be vacant since it was shut down earlier this year, but more than 60 people were detained in its former space on Wednesday during an early morning raid by Los Angeles police.
It turns out the abandoned site in the Palmer Building on Hollywood Boulevard had been under investigation for months for possible drug and gun sales.
There were a lot of mixed feelings when iO -- an offshoot of Chicago's iO (formerly the ImprovOlympic) -- closed down. Some theater members pointed fingers at poor management from Chicago, with particular focus on iO head honcho Charna Halpern. Perhaps not surprising, then, that a number of former students and performers took to social media about the news -- and ran with it:
The old IO West space shutting down and INSTANTLY turning into a drug and gun den is very very funny. https://t.co/CIwQggdSLQ
— Alex Fernie (@FernieCommaAlex) September 12, 2018
We saw dudes selling drugs out the front door the other night and iOWest never looked more popular.
— James Mastraieni (@Jmazz1111) September 12, 2018
Fun times at iO West can’t be stopped! https://t.co/MSin6pcYhZ
— Jeremy of Cohen (@citylifejc) September 12, 2018
Hey @colinhughesLA, I heard you finally got an audience for your Harold team last night at @iOWest! Congrats! I should come see a show soon. https://t.co/Xfz8b4ejvD
— Paul Detrick (@PaulDetrick) September 12, 2018
When you legitimately think: “oh wow, I wonder if my last roommate was living there” #iOWest #WOOP! pic.twitter.com/qWMasDfk5y
— Trevor Martin (@The_Trevor_Show) September 12, 2018
The building and the area around it are known for criminal activity, according to LAPD Detective Meghan Aguilar.
"Not everyone there was involved in criminal activity to the extent of selling or using drugs," Aguilar said. "I'm sure that a good number of them there were either there because they were seeking shelter for the night or maybe unaware of what was actually happening."
Beyond drugs, a shotgun and a rifle were also confiscated -- it's also suspected of being home to gun sales, according to CBS 2. Other items confiscated from the site included an English bulldog and mattresses.
"Everybody in there is just trying to be in Hollywood, making a living, doing what they love," Ramsey Barton told CBS 2. "That's why I'm in there, my fiance, he's a rapper and he makes music."
Most of the people detained have since been released, but the investigation into what was actually happening in the post-comedy iO West continues.
The building's owner is boarding up the site to keep anyone from getting back inside. Police said the building's owner could be held liable for what happened inside, according to CBS 2.
An ongoing parody account, "iO West dude trapped in Loft," has been playing out the idea that someone was left in the building's Loft theater when it was shut down. The anonymous person behind that account reassured his followers that, yes, he is still trapped in the Loft and was not found in this raid:
....Cops never came up to The Loft cuz nobody really does. or did. #stilltrappedupiniowestloft
— IO West dude trapped in Loft (@inIOWestLoft) September 12, 2018
You made it! Congrats, you read the entire story, you gorgeous human. This story was made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism costs $$$$$. And now that LAist is part of KPCC, we rely on that support. So if you aren't already, be one of us! Help us help you live your best life in Southern California. Donate now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.