Photographs of hooded officers with long rifles on rooftops near SoFi Stadium sparked concern during World Cup events. Inglewood's mayor identified the personnel as local "overwatch officers" deployed on high ground to provide rapid response and said the officers in the photos were assigned to a nearby street fair, not the stadium. City and federal law‑enforcement agencies describe the deployment as part of an "unprecedented" security operation for the World Cup and as preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
Hooded "Overwatch" Officers With Rifles Spotted On Rooftops Near SoFi Stadium As World Cup Security Ramps Up
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A person dressed in camouflage sits with a sniper rifle on the roof of a building that reads
Graphic photographs of hooded, armed officers perched on rooftops near SoFi Stadium drew attention and concern during World Cup events in Los Angeles.
What Happened
Images posted on X showed individuals in dark clothing and hoods positioned on the roofs of businesses along Market Street in Inglewood. In some photos, long‑barrel rifles or precision rifles were visible resting on ledges; one image showed a rifle placed atop a jewelry and pawn shop. The original social‑media poster, who criticized hosting the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, said the officers were roughly a mile from the stadium and claimed children were playing soccer on the street below.
Spotted a mile from SoFi Stadium before USA-Paraguay: snipers on the rooftops of Inglewood businesses. X/@NOlympicsLA
Officials' Response
Inglewood Mayor James Butts told The California Post that the individuals are local law‑enforcement "overwatch officers," not federal agents. He said the officers are assigned to occupy high ground so they can respond quickly in the event of an active‑shooter situation or similar emergency, but he declined to disclose how many were deployed.
"What we found yesterday was that people were comforted by the fact that law enforcement preemptively was there to protect them," Mayor Butts said.
The mayor also clarified that the officers shown in the photos were supporting a nearby World Cup–related street fair on Market Street — a closed block with vendors, entertainment, children's activities and a large screen for attendees to watch the match — rather than being stationed inside SoFi Stadium itself.
In another photo, a gun could be seen sitting atop a jewelry and pawn shop also on the same street. X/@NOlympicsLA
Broader Security Context
At a June 5 press conference with the California Office of Emergency Services, Inglewood Police Chief Mark Fronterotta outlined the wider security posture for World Cup events, describing a mix of highly visible and less visible resources and urging the public to use emergency hotlines when needed. He said officers would focus on entertainment venues and transportation hubs where crowds gather.
Local and federal agencies — including the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Inglewood Police Department, the FBI and the Secret Service — are coordinating security efforts. Officials described the deployment as part of an "unprecedented" operation to protect the largest FIFA World Cup in history and said the effort also serves as a precursor to security planning for the 2028 Olympics. Deputies and officers have been training in crowd control and counterterrorism response tactics.
General view inside the stadium during the match REUTERS
Responses From Businesses And Media
The California Post attempted to contact the social‑media poster and the two businesses pictured; a worker at the pawn shop said management was not available. The Inglewood Police Department has been publicizing emergency contact information and other guidance for event security.
This coverage aims to provide context around why armed overwatch positions may be used at large public events, while reporting on public concerns raised by the images and the official explanations offered by city leaders.
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