A chaotic scene unfolded in Hollywood early Saturday when a driver plowed into a crowd outside a nightclub, injuring 30 people before being apprehended by bystanders and police. Authorities confirmed the suspect remains hospitalized under police custody while investigators search for a separate gunman linked to the incident.
Chaos and Response
According to LAPD official Lillian Carranza, the driver – operating a Nissan Versa sedan – struck pedestrians, a taco truck, and a valet stand near The Vermont Hollywood club around 2 a.m. Bystanders pulled the driver from the vehicle, handcuffed him, and assaulted him before officers arrived. Police later discovered he had sustained a gunshot wound from an unidentified shooter who fled the scene.
Victim Toll and Aftermath
Of the 30 injured, seven were listed in critical condition and six in serious condition. Los Angeles Fire Department crews treated victims aged mid-20s to early 30s, many of whom were waiting to enter a reggae and hip-hop event. Social media footage showed blood-stained sidewalks and panicked crowds, while cleanup crews power-washed the area by dawn.
Investigation Underway
Mayor Karen Bass called the incident a “heartbreaking tragedy” and pledged a full investigation. The Vermont Hollywood club expressed sorrow over the event, which occurred near Sunset Boulevard and the Walk of Fame. Over 100 firefighters responded to the scene, with LAPD considering charges including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
