Two arrested after Venice Beach drum circle skirmish with police

Two people were arrested and a police officer was injured after violence erupted when hundreds of people who gathered for a drum circle on the Venice Boardwalk were told to disperse Sunday night, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Ocean Front Walk and Breeze Avenue, according to Los Angeles Police Lt. Marco Munoz.

Between 450 people had gathered during the evening as part of a weekly drum circle when police arrived, Munoz told KTLA-TV.

Citing beach rules, officers attempted to break up the drum circle, but when the crowd refused to move, a skirmish began, authorities said.

Video from the scene showed some members of the crowd throwing bottles at officers who had lined up on the beach.

One officer was treated for injuries he sustained after a bottle hit his leg, Munoz said. Another bottle broke the window of a police vehicle, he added.

The crowd eventually dispersed, with the exception of one person who rushed the police line and another who refused to move, Munoz said.

Both were taken into custody and later released.