Car Plows Into Crowd Outside Los Angeles Nightclub, Injuring 30
Tragedy struck early Saturday morning when a car rammed into a large crowd gathered outside a popular nightclub in East Hollywood, leaving 30 people injured and triggering a chaotic aftermath that included a brutal assault and a shooting.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. local time (0900 GMT) outside a nightclub in the busy nightlife district of Hollywood. A Nissan Versa sedan plowed into the crowd for reasons yet unknown, sparking panic and a violent response from bystanders.
Authorities said the driver, who has not yet been publicly identified, was forcibly pulled from the vehicle by members of the crowd and violently attacked. Amid the chaos, an unidentified individual reportedly shot the driver before fleeing the scene on foot. The suspect shooter remains at large.
“When officers arrived, they found the driver being assaulted by bystanders and determined he had sustained a gunshot wound,” LAPD Commander Lillian Carranza told reporters.
“He is currently undergoing surgery and is in stable condition, but he is not free to leave. He is in police custody and will face charges, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.”
Eyewitness footage shared widely on social media shows scenes of panic and devastation people screaming and running for safety, injured victims lying on a bloodied sidewalk, and several individuals appearing to restrain and beat the driver.
Over 100 firefighters and emergency personnel responded to the scene. Commander Carranza confirmed that among the 30 injured were 18 women and 12 men, ranging in age from their mid-twenties to early thirties. Of those, seven were reported in critical condition, six in serious condition, 10 with minor injuries, and seven discharged themselves against medical advice.
The motive for the crash remains unclear. Investigators are working to determine whether it was a deliberate act or the result of impairment or recklessness.
The nightclub where the incident occurred has not released an official statement, but security footage is being reviewed by authorities as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police have urged anyone with information or footage from the incident to come forward, particularly those who may have seen the shooter who fled the scene.
As of Saturday afternoon, the East Hollywood community remains shaken, with parts of the area cordoned off as law enforcement continues its probe.
“This was a horrific event,” Carranza added. “Our hearts go out to all the victims and their families. We are doing everything possible to bring justice to those affected.”
