A deadly July 4th across Southern California saw several people shot dead in Compton, a woman killed in an explosion in Chino and an unruly crowd causing chaos in Newport Beach with hundreds arrested.
As celebrations of America’s 250th birthday were underway, over 400 people were arrested in Newport Beach as disorder took over on the sand and nearby. The hours-long pandemonium involved some teenaged children and young adults throwing mortars, fireworks and more at those who crowded about and at police officers, a grocery store getting merchandise stolen and an unlawful assembly declared.
The Newport Beach Police Association referenced a “TikTok takeover” as a contributor to people converging on the beaches and boardwalks.
The next day, residents helped clean up the spattered food across the store’s parking lot.
A fireworks explosion in Chino killed a woman in her twenties and left several others seriously injured, Chino police said, adding few details but saying a vehicle was engulfed in flames and that a “large quantity” of fireworks were found. A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter.
In Compton, a man and woman were shot and killed during a July 4th party at an apartment complex, authorities said, with three others injured.