In a shocking event early Saturday morning, a vehicle plowed into a crowd outside the Vermont Hollywood music venue in East Hollywood, resulting in thirty individuals sustaining injuries. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that seven of those injured are in critical condition, while six others are classified as seriously hurt.
The car hit the crowd around 02:00 local time, as the victims, primarily women, were waiting to enter a reggae and hip-hop event at the popular nightclub. Investigating authorities, including the Los Angeles Police Department, are treating the crash as an intentional act after it was revealed the driver performed a U-turn before colliding with the gathering.
According to reports, bystanders swiftly intervened, pulling the driver out of the Nissan Versa, which had also driven through a taco stand and valet podium before hitting the crowd. Chaos ensued, and amidst the turmoil, a bystander reportedly discharged a firearm at the driver, who was subsequently hospitalized for surgery with his condition currently undisclosed.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her condolences in a statement, calling the incident a "heartbreaking tragedy," and urged a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event. Additional details indicate that alcohol may have been a factor, as sources reported the driver potentially being intoxicated at the time of the crash.
The scene remained tense as first responders attended to the victims, with LAFD Captain Adam VanGerpen highlighting the commendable efforts of bystanders who rushed to help during the chaotic aftermath. Police have launched a manhunt for the individual who discharged the weapon, describing him as a bald Hispanic man wearing a blue jersey, believed to be armed with a silver revolver.
As the investigation continues, the community is left in shock over the tragic unfolding of events that disrupted a night of celebration for many.
