In a shocking incident early Saturday morning, a driver allegedly plowed into a crowd outside a nightclub in Los Angeles, injuring at least 30 people, seven of whom are in critical condition. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed that the act appeared intentional, occurring shortly after the driver had been ejected from the venue for disruptive behavior.
According to investigators, the driver, a 29-year-old male, was asked to leave the establishment around eight minutes before the incident. Subsequently, he drove a Nissan Versa onto the sidewalk, deliberately ramming into the group gathered outside the club. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with panic erupting as the vehicle struck concert-goers and bystanders.
In the aftermath of the collision, bystanders quickly intervened, pulling the driver from his vehicle and physically assaulting him. During this confrontation, an individual in the crowd produced a firearm and shot the driver, further complicating the scene. Authorities indicated that the shooter fled the area, but the immediate threat was neutralized.
The LAPD has stated that they believe the driver was intoxicated at the time of the incident and have arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Fortunately, all injured individuals, including a man identified as Ramirez, are reported to be in stable condition and expected to survive.
As investigations continue, police are working to determine a motive for the driver’s actions and are actively seeking the male suspect who discharged the firearm during the altercation. The incident has raised alarms about public safety near nightlife venues, prompting calls for increased vigilance and security measures in the area.
Local authorities are urging any witnesses to come forward as they piece together the details of this alarming event, which has left the community in shock and raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.