Officials continue to search for gunmen who say police shot a man who intentionally ran into a crowd outside the popular East Hollywood music venue early Saturday, causing dozens of people to be injured.
Officer Norma Eisenman, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department, said Sunday that gunmen remained on the whole. He finally saw him wearing a blue jersey, armed with a presumably silver revolver, fleeing west on Vermont Avenue, LAPD officials said.
LAPD captain Ben Fernandez told ABC-7 News that when nightclub security tried to detain the driver after leaving behind a confusion and bloody scene, another man came from across the street and shot the driver in the butt section and injured him.
According to LAPD, the driver, identified by police as Fernandora Mirez, 29, had been dumped from the Vermont Hollywood Club before returning to the area that night at about 2am. His vehicle crashed into a street vendor and dozens of late-night club fans, causing several medical emergency, screaming fear and rage from the crowd.
Bystanders pulled the driver out of the car and attacked him – the video showed Ramirez being punched and kicked – and at one point he was shot, LAPD officials said.
Ramirez, who is expected to face several felony charges, recovered from surgery due to injuries and was in stable condition, Fernandez said.
Authorities reported about 30 people injured, including seven seriously injured. At least 23 people were hospitalized. A LAPD spokesman said he said on Sunday. The agency said there was no update on the victim’s situation.
Given the size of the crowd, Fernandez said the incident could have easily been spiraled into a massive casualty event.
“To be honest, I think it’s a miracle,” Fernandez told NBC-4 News.
One eyewitness told the ABC-7 news that he saw at least 30 people on the ground after the crash.
Another said, “It’s like a movie.”
“You see the shoes flying, you see the changes, money, there’s a hot dog stand outside the bar… They were attacked,” another unidentified witness told ABC-7 News.
Eduardo Lopez, who worked at his taco track down the street from a nightclub early Saturday, said he heard the crash and the screams that followed.
“I’m worried,” he told NBC-4, explaining his reaction. “People are running. A lot of people get hurt.”
Just hours after more than 120 firefighters and paramedics responded to the horrifying scene, the popular music venue became creepy and quiet.
Saturday’s event organizer canceled what was expected to be a sold-out show, citing the “unfortunate accident” the night before.
“The safety and enjoyment of our guests remain our number one priority and out of respect for the individuals affected. We believe it is inappropriate to continue our event tonight,” the musician and organizer shared on Instagram on Saturday.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred outside the venue early on Saturday morning,” the Vermont Hollywood Club was published in a statement online and out the door. “We work closely with law enforcement to ensure that those responsible for this horrifying conduct are fully accountable.”
On Friday nights, the club was hosting the Trapeton Party, a recurring dance party featuring reggaeton and hip hop music and depicting primarily Latino crowds. On Saturday, the main artist planned to post online, and the main artist planned to post online just before the organizers decided to postpone the show. Organizers said tickets will be awarded on the make-up day in August.
Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.
