UPDATE: A shocking incident unfolded in Los Angeles as a vehicle violently rammed into a crowd of people outside the Vermont Hollywood nightclub, injuring 30 individuals. The incident occurred just after 10 PM on October 15, 2023, as patrons waited to enter the venue for a reggae and hip-hop event.
Authorities report that the driver of the Nissan Versa was found with a gunshot wound, leading police to search for a suspected shooter who fled the scene. It remains unclear if the driver was shot before or after crashing into the crowd, according to a spokesperson from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
The chaotic scene saw 23 victims transported to nearby hospitals, with at least 3 individuals in critical condition. The Los Angeles City Fire Department confirmed that the crowd was comprised mostly of women, eagerly waiting to enter the nightclub when the vehicle struck.
A witness, Maria Medrano, who was operating a food cart nearby, described the harrowing moment: “Everyone started running,” she said, recounting the terrifying sounds of what she believed to be gunfire following the crash. Medrano and her husband narrowly escaped as the car crashed into their hot dog stand, saying, “If not, I wouldn’t be here to tell the story.”
The impact of the vehicle also demolished a nearby taco truck and valet stand. Fire Captain Adam VanGerpen relayed the gravity of the situation, noting, “A large number of people were impacted by the vehicle.”
Witnesses reported that a fight had erupted outside the club minutes before the crash, escalating tensions in the area. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where club attendees joined in to assist the injured before paramedics arrived.
The LAPD has launched a comprehensive investigation, describing the shooter as a man wearing a blue jersey and armed with a silver revolver. “This is under police investigation,” VanGerpen confirmed, emphasizing the scale of the ongoing inquiry.
As the investigation unfolds, community members are left reeling from the violence. The nightclub, which was scheduled to host events until 2 AM, now finds itself at the center of a major police investigation.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the shooter or the incident to come forward. The urgency of this situation is palpable as the LAPD works tirelessly to uncover the details behind this alarming event. Follow this story for further updates as they become available.
