5,000 out of control in East Long Beach

Thousand of race cars and motor cycles in ELB Kmart/Lowes and Target parking lot take LBPD by surprise

An estimated 5,000 people with race-style cars and motorcycles  cars showed up at the 5th District Kmart and Lowes Center overwhelming the Long Beach East Division as helicopters and units responded to the out-of-control event late Saturday Night.

Vehicals  from the event just north of the 405 border between the 4th and 5th District's were heard racing up and down Bellflower Blvd through the 4th District south into the 3rd District as LBPD helicopters flew overhead. Race cars and crowds then spilled over into the Target/Trader Joes lots-then across the street to the Hoff's Hut parking lot.

Local residents coming North on Bellflower indicated that it took over an hour to get from PCH and 2nd Street to Los Altos. 

In the event of an emergency-fire or medical, the consequences could have been catastrophic. 

A source close to Councilwomen Mungo's 5th District Council office contacted by LACAN stated the three East Long Beach Council Offices were not contacted by the LBPD East Division Command until 2 hours into the event- past 11:00 pm. (LB Report.com has the LBPD explanation here: LBR )

Social Media reports that participants from the impromptu event at various 4th and 5th District establishments told residents it was a  Paul Walker Birthday Tribute. Walker was the Fast and Furious movie star killed speeding down an LA street . He would have turned 42 Saturday Sept 12th. 

The event appears to have been spread by Twitter and Instagram and other social media platforms including this Twitter hastag feed:
TWITTER.

Pictures of cars (see below) and short video began appearing all over internet feeds. One video shows a motorcycle burninout its tires in one of the shopping center parking lots causing white smoke in engulf the area.

Long Beach Police converged on the area closing off major parking lots along the Bellflower corridor as speeding cars could be heard well into the night.  Social media reports that the Bellflower exits from the 405 were closed by law enforcement.
Photos below from Social media:

Photo posted on Nextdoor site showing LBPD closing Target lot