LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man named Fernando Ramirez, 29, has been identified as the suspect involved in a driving incident that injured 36 people in Los Angeles. The incident occurred early Saturday morning when Ramirez reportedly drove his Nissan Versa into a crowd of people waiting outside the Vermont Hollywood event venue. This crash also impacted a food vending cart and a valet stand. Ramirez has a documented criminal history, including a felony battery conviction and at least 11 other criminal cases of varying severity.
Authorities reported that Ramirez was attacked by bystanders immediately following the crash. During the ensuing chaos, paramedics discovered that he had sustained a gunshot wound, prompting an active search for the shooter. Eyewitnesses described the shooter as a man sporting a goatee and wearing a blue Dodgers jacket. Ramirez, who hails from San Clemente, California, is currently in recovery and is expected to be charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon, although it remains unclear if he has legal representation.
According to Los Angeles police Captain Ben Fernandes, Ramirez was sentenced in 2020 for a violent altercation outside a Whole Foods grocery store in June 2019. At the time of the incident on Saturday, he was on parole, but it is not yet known whether it was related to his previous conviction or due to a separate case. In addition to the felony battery charge from 2019, Ramirez was charged with felony domestic battery in January 2022, to which he pleaded not guilty. That case remains unresolved.
The tragic event unfolded around 2 a.m. as a line of mostly women awaited entry to the venue, situated along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles. The collision resulted in a diverse range of injuries among the victims, including fractures and lacerations. As of Sunday, police had not provided updates on the conditions of those injured in the crash.
It remains uncertain whether Ramirez was shot before or after the vehicle incident and the reasons behind his reckless driving into the crowd are still under investigation. This disturbing incident has raised numerous questions regarding the safety of people in public spaces and the implications of individuals with extensive criminal backgrounds being on the streets.
As this situation continues to develop, authorities are working diligently to piece together the sequence of events leading to this serious public safety incident. The community is left grappling with the repercussions of such acts and the impact they have on local residents and visitors alike.
