Trees cut down in apparent act of vandalism in Downtown Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — Several trees in downtown Los Angeles were cut down this weekend, apparently by a chainsaw-wielding vandal or vandals.

The attacks seemed to take place overnight Friday. Photos of the downed trees appeared on social media and in news reports.

“Why would anyone do this?!?” DTLA Insider asked on Instagram. 

At least five toppled trees were spotted at Grand Avenue and Wells Fargo Center, Olympic Street and Figueroa Boulevard, Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue, and at Grand Avenue and Fifth Street, according to ABC7.

Chainsaw-wielding suspect cuts down several trees during overnight vandalism spree in downtown LA https://t.co/PUKvujQQK5

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) April 21, 2025

DTLA Insider reported more than a dozen trees had been chainsawed.

Some people noted on the online message board Reddit that the area is home to many street cameras, which conceivably could assist authorities in finding the perpetrators.

Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement provided to ABC7, saying, “That someone would do this is truly beyond comprehension.”

She added, “City public works crews are assessing the damage and we will be making plans to quickly replace these damaged trees. LAPD has opened an investigation into what happened and those responsible must be held accountable.”

According to Channel 7, security guards at a pair of area buildings said surveillance video showed an unidentified vandal riding a bicycle and in possession of a chainsaw, however, the footage was not immediately released and a description of the suspect was not made available.

The Daily News contributed to this story.