A shocking incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning when a driver ploughed his car into a crowd outside a Los Angeles nightclub, leaving 30 people injured.
The attack happened at around 2 am outside The Vermont Hollywood club on Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood.
Victims Caught Off Guard
The victims, ranging in age from their mid-twenties to early thirties, were caught off guard while waiting in line to enter the club or grabbing a bite to eat from a nearby taco cart.
A valet podium and the taco truck were destroyed in the incident, and a large number of people were impacted by the vehicle, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Adam VanGerpen.
Driver Pulled from Car and Attacked
The driver, whose identity has not been released, was pulled from the car by the crowd and brutally beaten. A video on social media showed the driver being handcuffed and attacked.
When police arrived, they found the driver being assaulted by bystanders and determined he had sustained a gunshot wound.
Massive Response from Emergency Services
More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene, and the victims were rushed to nearby hospitals. Seven of them are in critical condition.
A “Heartbreaking Tragedy”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the incident “a heartbreaking tragedy” and promised a full investigation into what happened.
Club and Authorities Respond
The Vermont Hollywood club expressed its sadness over the incident, saying it was “deeply saddened by the tragic incident.”
The Los Angeles Police Department is looking into charges including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.