California man charged with attempted murder of LAPD officers during Roe v. Wade protests

A man was charged with attempted murder of Los Angeles police officers Friday night during protests of the recent Supreme Court ruling of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which effectively overturned Roe v. Wade, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Michael Ortiz, 30, is accused of throwing a makeshift flame thrower at an officer, who was treated for burns, according to a Saturday LAPD press release.

Video of the incident was captured by onlookers and posted on Twitter. The demonstration took place in downtown Los Angeles shortly after 8 p.m.

A female demonstrator was also charged with resisting police after four officers were injured from projectiles and fireworks, police said.

In another incident, 23-year old Juliana Bernado, 23 is accused of attempting to steal an officer’s baton. A “less-lethal” bullet was fired at her, and she was arrested, the LAPD reported.

“I condemn the violence against officers that occurred last night and into today,” Chief Michel Moore said.

“Individuals participating in such criminal activity are not exercising their 1st Amendment rights in protest of the Supreme Court decision, rather, they are acting as criminals.  The Department will vigorously pursue prosecution of these individuals.”

Protests were so widespread in the California city that police gave safety updates on the LAPD Facebook page for local Los Angelitos.

On June 20, a similar violent demonstration took place in the Hollenbeck area where arrests were made for unlawful assembly.