A man with face tattoos was arrested Saturday in Los Angeles after firing a BB gun into a crowd participating in the World Naked Bike Ride, injuring two people. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. in a parking lot near the intersection of Temple Street and Alameda Street, where a large group had gathered for the annual event.
Authorities stated that the suspect fired into the assembled crowd, hitting at least two individuals. The Los Angeles Fire Department treated the victims for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Some witnesses reported hearing homophobic slurs directed at the participants during the incident.
The suspect, described as an adult male dressed in all black with face tattoos, was apprehended without incident near a federal building. Investigators recovered a BB gun at the scene that is believed to have been used in the attack. The suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues.
The World Naked Bike Ride is an international event that takes place in cities worldwide. It operates under guidelines that prohibit lewd or sexually explicit exposure and is presented as a protest against car culture and an exercise in public expression. The ride occupies a legal gray zone regarding public nudity.
