NEED TO KNOW
- A man has been arrested after police said he drove into a crowd of people outside a Los Angeles nightclub, injuring 30, on July 19
- Fernando Ramirez, 29, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon
- The suspect is currently “in stable condition” at a hospital after the incident
A man has been arrested after police said he drove into a Los Angeles crowd and injured at least 30 people this weekend.
After a vehicle plowed into the large group on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, Calif., around 2:00 a.m. local time on Saturday, July 19, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) identified the driver of the vehicle as Fernando Ramirez, according to multiple outlets, including CNN, ABC affiliate KABC and CBS News.
LAPD Cmdr. Lillian Carranza told reporters, in footage shared by NBC News, that Ramirez, 29, was “surrounded by a number of individuals who pulled him out of the car” after he struck the crowd.
“Somebody in that crowd reportedly shot the driver,” she said. “So the driver was transported to the hospital, and he’s undergoing surgery, but he’s also in stable condition.”
Ramirez was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to CBS News and KABC. Carranza also told reporters, per footage shared by KCAL, that authorities are considering charging him with attempted murder.
Both CBS News and KABC reported that the suspect’s charges will be decided by the district attorney.
The LAPD and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (LADA) did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further information on Sunday, July 20.
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The LAPD confirmed on Facebook on July 19 that, upon arriving at the scene, authorities found the driver “being assaulted by bystanders” and determined he sustained a gunshot wound.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported that there were 30 victims in total — including seven in critical condition, six in serious condition, 10 in fair condition and seven patients who “refused transport,” per the LAPD.
“The suspect who shot the driver fled the scene on foot and was last seen heading westbound from Vermont Avenue,” the LAPD said, adding that the man was “possibly armed with a silver revolver.”
Photos from the scene show a vehicle near the Vermont Hollywood nightclub on Santa Monica Boulevard with police tape surrounding it.
According to KABC, which cited the LAPD, the situation took place after club security escorted a man out of Vermont Hollywood. Minutes later, the car was driven into the crowd.
“They were all standing in line going into a nightclub. There was a taco cart out there, so they were … getting some food, waiting to go in. And there’s also a valet line there,” LAFD Capt. Adam Van Gerpen told KABC.
“The valet podium was taken out, the taco truck was taken out, and then a large number of people were impacted by the vehicle,” he continued.
Most of the victims struck by the car were female, the Associated Press reported.
In a statement shared on Instagram on July 19, Vermont Hollywood said it was “deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred … after the conclusion of an event and as patrons were exiting.”
“The suspect was immediately taken into custody by the LAPD, and an investigation is currently underway. We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the person responsible for this horrific act is held fully accountable,” the statement continued.
“We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to the first responders for their swift and compassionate action in assisting those affected,” concluded the club’s statement.
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