UCLA Police Review Surveillance Video, Seek Witnesses to Arrest Camp Attackers – Daily News

Counter-protesters (right) confront a pro-Palestinian protest camp on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles early Wednesday morning, May 1, 2024. Administrators called police officers after violence broke out, a university official said early Wednesday. (Mark Abramson/The New York Times)

An investigation is underway into the violent attacks on Royce Quad at UCLA, which the university’s chancellor has called “a truly despicable act.”

In a message sent to the UCLA community on Monday, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said identifying those responsible for violence on campus remains an important priority.

“To that end, First Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chief Safety Officer Rick Braziel is leading a law enforcement investigation to identify the perpetrators of the violence and hold them accountable,” he wrote.

UCLA is moving classes back online amid renewed pro-Palestinian protests, arrests and outcry

“The LAPD has assigned a detective to assist us in our investigation and we have also contacted the FBI about possible assistance,” Block said. “We have spoken with Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón to ask for his help in ensuring that the instigators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

A group of so-called instigators came to Royce Quad on the night of Tuesday, April 30, and attacked students, faculty and staff camped with the Palestinian supporters.

The UCLA Police Department, also known as UCPD, is reviewing surveillance footage for clues.

“Braziel and I have directed UCPD to invest all necessary resources to conduct a rapid and thorough investigation into the violent attack,” Block wrote in his statement. “UCPD is currently reviewing all available footage from last Tuesday evening and speaking with witnesses present. We urge anyone who saw the violence firsthand or has information about the attack to report it as soon as possible.”