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.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Two Arrested During Third Night Of Protests After Fatal Police Shooting In El Cajon
Unrest has been simmering in the El Cajon area since the death of Alfred Olango, who was shot by police on Tuesday afternoon. On Thursday night tensions came to a head as protestors began throwing objects at a line of officers, who in turn tossed tear gas canisters and shot pepper balls at the crowd, reports ABC 10.
Protestors had gathered on Thursday at the intersection of Broadway and North Mollison in El Cajon, just a few yards away from the spot where Olango was shot. The crowd was smaller than the ones that had demonstrated on Tuesday and Wednesday—The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that there were about 50 to 75 protestors on Thursday, while 300 people turned out for protests on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Support for LAist comes from
Thursday's protest turned violent at around 8 p.m., when protestors stopped passing vehicles and broke some of their windows. According to the Tribune, one man lost control of his motorcycle at the intersection and laid down his vehicle on the ground. A fight then broke out between the motorcyclist and several protestors. According to one Instagram user—justice4alfredolan—a motorcyclist had "intentionally rode his bike through the crowd and fell off the bike on his own." It's unclear if the Tribune and justice4alfredolan are describing the same individual. justice4alfredolan posted a video of a motorcyclist confronting protestors:
According to a release by the El Cajon Police Department, a "group of officers from the multi-agency composite platoon" arrived at the scene in response to 9-1-1 calls. Law enforcement officials declared an unlawful assembly and demanded the protestors to leave. In turn, the protestors began throwing glass bottles at the officers, which led the police to shoot pepper balls at them, reports the L.A. Times.
Union-Tribune reporter David Hernandez took a short video of the police telling the crowd to disperse:
Sheriff's helicopter declaring unlawful assembly in El Cajon. Some protesters remain. pic.twitter.com/A5hfdvQA1X
— David Hernandez (@D4VIDHernandez) September 30, 2016
This woman says she was a bystander who got hit in the face with a beanbag fired by police:
Support for LAist comes from
Two El Cajon men—19 and 28 years old—were arrested on suspicion of engaging in an unlawful assembly. Their names have not been released.
The Union-Tribune also reported that, later in the night at 12:45 a.m., one of their freelance photographers was filming a couple of protestors when he was beaten and robbed of his camera.
Schools in the Cajon Valley Union School District have shortened their schedules on Friday in response to the unrest, according to ABC 10. Middle schools are being let out at 12:15 p.m., while elementary schools will be let out an hour earlier than their set times.
LAist has left a message for the El Cajon Police Department asking for comment. No injuries at the scene have been reported so far.
A Facebook user by the name of Jeff Pro uploaded an hour long video. Near the beginning, you can hear what appears to be the sounds of pepper-balls being fired:
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist