La Habra Residents Hurt by Tear Gas
A military-style tear gas device was discharged Wednesday at an apartment complex, injuring 10 people and closing down a section of Harbor Boulevard for nearly four hours, authorities said.
Curtis Michael Flynn, 26, of La Habra was arrested on suspicion of illegal possession and discharge of the device. He is being held at the La Habra Police Department jail.
Residents called emergency services at 11:12 a.m. to report a fire. Instead, police found the canister in a common area of the Summerwood Apartments in the 600 block of Harbor Boulevard.
Ten people were treated for eye irritations, including four who were sent to a hospital, Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Rick Dominguez said.
“The odor was really odd,” Dominguez said. “The residents didn’t know what it was.”
La Habra police evacuated about half of the 100-unit apartment complex, Dominguez said.
They also asked residents of about two dozen nearby homes to close their windows and stay inside. Nearby Sierra Vista Elementary School was asked to keep students inside.
La Habra police closed down a quarter-mile strip of Harbor Boulevard, from East Stearns Avenue to East Whittier Boulevard until about 3:30 p.m.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
