Vehicle Hits Crowd in LA, Driver Shot \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A car rammed into a crowd outside a Los Angeles music venue, injuring 30 people early Saturday. The driver was later found shot, and police are searching for a gunman. Authorities are investigating whether the shooting was connected to the crash.
Quick Looks
- Car plowed into crowd outside Vermont Hollywood in East Hollywood.
- 30 people injured, 23 transported to hospitals, 7 in critical condition.
- The driver was found shot and hospitalized; his condition is unknown.
- LAPD is searching for a suspected shooter who fled the scene.
- The crash occurred during a reggae-hip hop event on Santa Monica Blvd.
- Victims were standing in line; most were women, officials said.
- A food stand and valet booth were also struck by the vehicle.
- Witnesses report hearing gunshots after the crash.
- Police have not confirmed the crash was intentional or tied to the shooting.
- The suspect is described as a man in a blue jersey with a silver revolver.
Deep Look
A quiet Saturday morning in East Hollywood exploded into chaos after a car rammed into a crowd of nightclubgoers waiting outside Vermont Hollywood, leaving 30 injured and triggering a frantic manhunt for a suspected gunman. What began as a night of music and celebration at a reggae-hip hop event turned into a scene of trauma, confusion, and unanswered questions—making it one of the most violent incidents in Los Angeles nightlife in recent memory.
The Incident Unfolds
The crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. along the bustling Santa Monica Boulevard, where a line of patrons had gathered outside the Vermont Hollywood music venue. The event, which ran from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., was drawing a steady crowd of mostly young, diverse partygoers. According to fire and police officials, the gathering was normal until moments before the crash, when a fight reportedly broke out on the sidewalk near the venue entrance.
Seconds later, a silver Nissan Versa plowed into the crowd, striking dozens of people, a food vending cart, and a valet stand. Witnesses described the impact as explosive, with bodies thrown across the pavement, carts flipped, and debris scattered for several yards. “It looked like a war zone,” one bystander said. “People were screaming, blood was everywhere, and others were trying to help.”
Casualties and Community Trauma
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that 30 people were injured in the incident. Twenty-three were transported to nearby hospitals and trauma centers. Seven of the victims remain in critical condition, according to fire officials. The full extent of injuries is still being assessed, but responders on the scene noted that many of the injured had suffered head trauma, fractures, and deep lacerations.
Fire Captain Adam VanGerpen, speaking to reporters at the scene, described a “very chaotic” environment in which venue staff and bystanders rushed to assist the injured in the crucial minutes before emergency services arrived. “People were on the ground. Many didn’t know what hit them,” he said. “But others jumped into action, doing whatever they could to help before we got there.”
Eyewitness Account: A Vendor’s Close Call
Among those who narrowly escaped injury was Maria Medrano, who, along with her husband, had been running a hot dog stand near the venue’s entrance. In an interview from her hospital bed, Medrano said a fight broke out just before the car appeared. “We saw some guys yelling and pushing. Then, suddenly, this car came out of nowhere and slammed right into everyone.”
Medrano said the Nissan stopped only when it crashed into their food cart, essentially wedging itself between the stand and the curb. “If that stand hadn’t been there, we’d be dead,” she said. Moments after the crash, she said she heard what sounded like gunshots. “People screamed and started running. I didn’t know if someone was shooting into the crowd or if it was over.”
Driver Shot, Shooter Flees
As paramedics reached the scene and began triaging victims, they discovered something unexpected: the driver of the vehicle had been shot. He was unconscious and bleeding but alive. Authorities have not yet identified him publicly or shared details of his condition. LAPD officers now face the complex task of determining whether the gunshot occurred before or after the crash—and whether the driver was the target of the original altercation.
“We’re trying to piece together a timeline,” an LAPD spokesperson said. “It’s unclear if this was an intentional act, an attempted shooting, or a combination of both.”
The suspected gunman, described by witnesses as a man wearing a blue jersey and carrying a silver revolver, fled the scene on foot down Santa Monica Boulevard. As of Sunday morning, he remained at large.
Investigation Expands
Police are treating the incident as a multi-layered crime scene, involving both a vehicular assault and a shooting. Forensic teams have collected shell casings, security camera footage from local businesses, and witness statements.
“This is a large, complex investigation involving multiple crime elements,” Captain VanGerpen confirmed. “We’ll be working with LAPD, traffic homicide, and gang units to determine exactly what led to this.”
While early speculation linked the crash to the fight outside the venue, investigators have not yet confirmed any motive. Authorities are also probing whether the suspect knew the driver or if the shooting was part of a broader dispute.
Vermont Hollywood and the Music Scene
The Vermont Hollywood venue, located near the intersection of Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, has become a staple in LA’s music nightlife, hosting events ranging from indie concerts to themed hip-hop and reggae nights. Its location in East Hollywood places it at the crossroads of multiple cultural and socioeconomic neighborhoods, drawing in a wide demographic of patrons.
According to the venue’s online calendar, the event taking place was scheduled to run until 2 a.m. A representative for Vermont Hollywood has not yet issued a public statement.
This incident has raised urgent safety concerns for clubgoers and venue operators alike, particularly in an era where nightlife violence—whether via shootings or car attacks—has become a growing concern in cities nationwide.
Emotional Fallout and Community Reaction
In the hours after the crash, local social media platforms were flooded with messages of shock and support. Several users shared photos of the aftermath, showing twisted metal, discarded shoes, and spilled food among the wreckage.
East Hollywood residents are now demanding answers—and change.
“This isn’t just a random accident,” said one local community organizer. “This is a failure in safety, in security, and in protecting spaces where people come to enjoy life. It could’ve been any one of us.”
Mental health professionals from nearby clinics are preparing to offer support to victims and witnesses suffering from trauma related to the event.
Legal and Policy Implications
The investigation could lead to multiple charges once suspects are identified, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and possibly terrorism-related offenses if intentionality is proven. The involvement of a firearm compounds the potential severity of legal outcomes.
City leaders are also expected to examine whether additional safety measures—like pedestrian barriers, increased police presence, or curfews—should be implemented around nightlife hubs.
Los Angeles has seen an uptick in violent incidents near nightlife venues in recent months, and some experts suggest that increased access to firearms and alcohol-fueled altercations may be contributing factors.
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