The chaos of Inglewood Carmax unfolded like a scene from a movie.
A customer suddenly and irregularly turned the SUV into the dealer showroom on a Saturday afternoon. Court records show that 25-year-old Andrew Jesus Arroyo injured an employee and several customers in an episode of a vehicle massacre that paralyzed at least one person.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Arroyo with multiple felony cases, including attempted murder, with a special allegation of causing serious harm, increasing the sentence they could receive if convicted.
An Instagram video from the dealer showed a gaping Mau with the vehicle turning back into the building. The SUV was whipped in the sound of screams and glass crunches. Customers and Carmax employees are now out of the way as tires squeal in the showroom, vehicles knock on office furniture and take care of them towards the other end of the building.
The vehicle then increased speed. Arroyo turned to the authorities, Inglewood police said.
Authorities say eight people were injured in chaos and two were taken to a trauma center where two were seriously injured.
Witnesses said Arroyo was dissatisfied after being assessed by Carmax employees, but it is unclear what this prompted.
Carmax said the injured employee was treated and released in hospital for life-threatening injuries. According to the initial news reports of the crash, Arroyo was dissatisfied in response to the assessment made on his vehicle, but in a statement, a Carmax spokesman said “it doesn’t match previous employee reports.”
“According to the accounts of employees who interacted with the suspect that day, he complained about the offer and even spent time looking at stock for potential purchases,” the statement said. “The employee shares his observation that his behavior suddenly becomes unstable, but he did not recognize it as related to the offer of assessment. We will continue to review all available information to ensure a full understanding of this incident.”
Carmax said he would not speculate on the motives behind the incident and referred all additional questions to authorities.
“The safety of our peers, our community and our customers is our number one priority,” Carmax said in a statement, adding that the company is working with law enforcement to investigate. “We are deeply saddened by this event and our hearts come to everyone who has been shocked.”
An employee from his days shopping for cars at the dealership prior to the incident said he saw a customer screaming at the staff trying to settle him. The customer shook a metal water bottle before going outside and jumping on the roof of the car. The Times employee and his wife became uncomfortable and left.
Arroyo was also charged with fatal weapon attack, hit and run assault, and with extra charges on special allegations that he caused injuries to others, vandalism and serious physical injuries to six people appointed in criminal charges.
Arroyo remains in custody without bail, according to prison records. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 2nd.
