Southwest
University of Arizona police forced to deploy 'chemical munitions' to break up anti-Israel riot
Officers at the University of Arizona were forced to deploy tear gas or another chemical agent to disperse anti-Israel protests on the campus, officials said.
In the early hours of Friday morning, University of Arizona Police declared an unlawful assembly at University Park and urged people to “leave immediately” or “avoid the area” entirely. Later, the police department’s X account and website confirmed “chemical munitions” were deployed.
“Police instructing unlawful assembly to disperse. Chemical munitions deployed. Avoid the area & follow directions of police,” they tweeted.
The boisterous law enforcement effort comes just days after police in riot gear surrounded an anti-Israel encampment and arrested several people early Wednesday at the university in Tucson. At the time, President Robert Robbins directed school officials to “immediately enforce campus use policies.”
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University of Arizona police were forced to deploy a chemical agent to disperse an anti-Israel crowd on Friday morning, May 10, 2024. (Sean Mahoney – KOLD)
On Friday morning, agitators on the campus formed a raucous riot and officers quickly responded.
Arizona state Sen. Justine Wadsack, a Republican who represents the 17th District, called for “mass arrests” for the “disorderly” demonstration.
When a user of X challenged her about whether the protesters were “committing actual crimes,” she claimed several people had assaulted police. She also said participants were “trespassing” and “committing disorderly conduct.”
Police were called to clear a disruption on the University of Arizona campus on Friday morning. (Ellie Wolfe)
A line of police officers in riot gear cleared the anti-Israel encampment at the University of Arizona. (Ellie Wolfe)
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“This is not a peaceful protest when they are trespassing, stealing fencing for barriers, committing disorderly conduct, assaulting police by throwing frozen water bottles at their heads, spraying people with a mixture of CocaCola & yeast while shooting off fireworks!” Wadsack tweeted.
Police at another campus in Arizona earlier this week also cleared out encampments and arrested anti-Israel protesters.
Students gather for an anti-Israel demonstration, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the terror group Hamas at the Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. (REUTERS/Liliana Salgado)
Arizona state Sen. Justine Wadsack said the demonstration was “not a peaceful protest” and said participants were “trespassing” and “committing disorderly conduct.” (REUTERS/Liliana Salgado)
Police at another university in Arizona earlier this week also cleared out encampments and arrested anti-Israel protesters. (Epics/Getty Images)
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And about 20 people were arrested at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff on Tuesday night on trespassing charges. Police dismantled a small fence made of chicken wire as well as nearly two dozen tents.
Anti-Israel demonstrations were also held last week at Arizona State University in Tempe.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
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Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
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