In brief
A vehicle plowed into a queue waiting to enter a nightclub in East Hollywood, injuring 30 individuals. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that seven people are in critical condition and six are seriously injured following the incident around 2:00 AM local time on Saturday. Eyewitnesses indicated that the area was bustling, as many, primarily women, were lined up to enter the Vermont Hollywood music venue when the incident occurred.
The Los Angeles Police Department is treating the incident as a deliberate act, as the driver reportedly executed a U-turn before crashing into the crowd. When officers arrived on the scene, the driver had been pulled from the car by bystanders, with one person even firing a shot at him. Following the incident, the driver was transported to a hospital for surgery, although his current health status remains unclear. Witnesses described how the vehicle crashed through not just the crowd, but also a taco stand and valet podium, leaving behind a scene of debris and a heavy police presence. At the time, the nightclub was hosting a reggae and hip-hop event. Further investigations revealed that the driver might have been intoxicated during the incident. The LAPD is also searching for a suspect who fled the scene after shooting at the driver; he is described as a bald Hispanic man dressed in a blue jersey and possibly armed. In response to this tragic occurrence, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed deep condolences, labeling it a "heartbreaking tragedy." She assured that a thorough investigation is underway. LAFD Captain Adam VanGerpen provided an overview of the scene's chaos, commending the quick responses of the surrounding bystanders who assisted the injured.
