A man drove a car into a crowd of people waiting outside a nightclub in East Hollywood early Saturday morning, injuring at least 30 individuals in what police say appears to have been an intentional act.
The crash occurred shortly after 2 a.m. near the intersection of Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, where patrons were lined up outside the Vermont Hollywood, a live music venue that was hosting a reggae and hip-hop event.
The vehicle, a Nissan Versa, slammed through a taco stand, a valet podium, and then into the waiting crowd, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Seven victims were listed in critical condition and six more suffered serious injuries, authorities said.
Police said bystanders pulled the driver from the vehicle and shot him after he plowed into the crowd. “When officers arrived, they found the driver being assaulted by bystanders and determined he had sustained a gunshot wound,” the LAPD said in a statement. Captain Adam VanGerpen, a public information officer with the LAPD, described the aftermath as chaotic. “It was a very chaotic scene,” he said. “A lot of bystanders by the club came out to help people.”
The motive remains under investigation, but police said surveillance footage is being reviewed and initial findings suggest the crash was intentional. It was not immediately clear whether the suspect was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The driver was transported to a hospital for emergency surgery and remains in custody. His identity has not been released.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the incident, calling it a “heartbreaking tragedy.” “The hearts of Angelenos are with all of the victims impacted this morning,” she said in a statement. “A full investigation into what happened is underway.”
