A Van Nuys photographer was hospitalized Sunday night after he was hit by an LAPD rubber bullet while taking photos of the Lakers’ fans celebration following the team's first championship win in a decade.
Manny Barrientos, 25, says he lost eight teeth, and a chunk out of his lower lip when LAPD officers in riot gear arrived and the celebration turned rowdy.
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Barrientos explained to KTLA that while he was kneeling down to take a shot, an officer fired a rubber bullet at this open mouth, shattering his front four upper teeth and front four lower ones.
“My lip, it was actually on the floor at one point. A whole little chunk of it was on the floor,” he says. “I was like no no no please … I’m trying to like get this out of my head right now.”
Mayor Eric Garcetti, who'd been cheering the team on, warned Angelenos against gathering during the coronavirus pandemic, but crowds convened anyway.
A group of fans set off fireworks, which are illegal in unincorporated areas of L.A. County without a permit, and cars were seen doing "donuts."
“Luckily they didn’t get me in the eye because they got somebody else in the eye and they took their eye out,” Barrientos said.
Barrientos’ brother, Jose Meza set up a GoFundMe page to help with his brother’s medical expenses.
“I’m just thankful I’m here being able to spend my day with my family again,” Barrientos said.