‘Intentional act’: 30 injured as driver slams into crowd outside LA club

Police have revealed disturbing new details after a vehicle ploughed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a Hollywood nightclub.

A man who had been ejected from an East Hollywood nightclub later intentionally smashed his car into a crowd outside the venue, injuring 30 people, including seven critically, with bystanders attacking and shooting the driver before he was detained, police said.

The suspect was “undergoing surgery” and in stable condition, Lillian Carranza from the Los Angeles Police Department said.

“He is not free to leave, he is in the custody of Los Angeles Police Department,” Carranza told local news station KCAL, adding that police were looking into charges including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

A vehicle sits on the sidewalk after ramming into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles. Picture: AP

In chaotic scenes, the grey Nissan Versa drove onto the sidewalk around 2am local time and hit a valet stand and taco stand before slamming into a light pole and the crowd as clubgoers congregated outside The Vermont Hollywood club, The Los Angles Times reports.

LAPD Captain Ben Fernandes said the suspect was earlier kicked out of the nightclub at 1020 Vermont Avenue for being disruptive before he crashed into the crowd.

“From review of the video he went up to the sidewalk further down and when he hit bystanders it was an intentional act,” Captain Fernandes said.

“He was pulled from the car, handcuffed by security and then beaten by bystanders before being shot in the back by an individual from across the street.”

Law enforcement investigate the scene. Picture: AP

A vehicle sits on the sidewalk after ramming into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles. Picture: AP

Law enforcement investigate the scene where a vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub. Picture: AP

The club was hosting the Trapeton Party, a recurring dance party that draws a predominantly Latino crowd.

More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene in East Hollywood. “

“It was a large chaotic scene,” Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Adam VanGerpen said. “People were just waiting in line, getting some tacos and going into the club.”.

He said the majority of victims treated for injuries were women who were waiting in line to enter the club.

“We have 30 victims, 18 females and 12 males between the ages of the mid-twenties to early thirties,” Lillian Carranza said.

An area is roped off after a vehicle rammed into a crowd of people. Picture: AP

Authorities were searching for a gunman who shot and wounded the driver before fleeing on foot.

Footage posted on social media showed panicked people running outside the club and victims sprawled on a bloodstained footpath, while others sobbed nearby.

The driver of the car was pulled from the vehicle by the crowd, handcuffed and brutally beaten, a video on social media showed.

“When officers arrived, they found the driver being assaulted by bystanders and determined he had sustained a gunshot wound,” a police statement said.

Los Angeles Police officers interview people inside a nightclub after a vehicle rammed into a crowd gathered outside "The Vermont" nightclub in Los Angeles. Picture: AP

Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles and the intersection where it happened. Picture: Google Maps

Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, where the accident occurred. Picture: Google Maps

The Vermont in Hollywood, LA. Picture: Instagram

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the incident “a heartbreaking tragedy.” “The hearts of Angelenos are with all of the victims impacted this morning -- a full investigation into what happened is underway,” she said in a statement.

The Vermont Hollywood club said on social media it was “deeply saddened by the tragic incident.”

The area of the car ramming is near Hollywood landmarks including Sunset Boulevard and the Walk of Fame - the famed footpath emblazoned with stars commemorating movie industry figures

Originally published as ‘Intentional act’: 30 injured as driver slams into crowd outside LA club