On the early morning of Saturday, July 19, 2025, a horrific incident unfolded outside The Vermont Hollywood nightclub in East Hollywood, Los Angeles, leaving at least 30 people injured, seven of them critically. A driver, identified as 29-year-old Fernando Ramirez, allegedly intentionally drove his Nissan Versa into a crowd of clubgoers, valet attendants, and food vendors, creating a scene of chaos and devastation. Following the crash, bystanders pulled Ramirez from his vehicle, assaulted him, and an unknown individual shot him in the buttocks. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the crash as an intentional act, while the shooter remains at large. This article explores the details of the incident, its aftermath, and the broader implications for public safety in Los Angeles.

The Incident

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. local time on Santa Monica Boulevard near the intersection with Vermont Avenue, a bustling area known for its nightlife. The Vermont Hollywood, a popular music venue hosting a reggae and hip-hop event that night, had just closed for the evening, and a large crowd was gathered outside, including people waiting to enter, purchasing food from a taco stand, and interacting with valet services. According to LAPD Captain Ben Fernandes, Ramirez had been ejected from the nightclub earlier that night for disruptive behavior, including fighting with other patrons.

Security footage reviewed by the LAPD revealed that Ramirez made a U-turn before deliberately driving his Nissan Versa onto the sidewalk, striking a taco cart, a valet podium, and then plowing into the crowd. The vehicle came to a stop after hitting a light standard, leaving a trail of destruction. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with bloodied victims lying on the ground, some unconscious and others screaming in pain. A witness inside the club told NBC News, “We heard a loud bang and we all started ducking, we thought it was gunshots. We look out the club, and it’s a car into the crowd right there. People everywhere, laying down, unconscious, bleeding out.”

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported that 124 personnel responded to the scene, setting up triage tents to treat the injured. Of the 30 victims, 23 were transported to local hospitals and trauma centers, with seven in critical condition, six in serious condition, and ten in fair condition. The majority of the victims were women in their mid-20s to early 30s, reflecting the demographic of the crowd outside the nightclub.

The Aftermath: Driver Attacked and Shot

Following the crash, the situation escalated as enraged bystanders turned on Ramirez. Video footage posted on social media showed a group of people pulling him from the vehicle, where he was handcuffed by club security. The crowd then began punching and kicking him, with one video showing Ramirez lying face-down on the sidewalk, handcuffed, as he was kicked in the head. During this altercation, an unidentified individual approached from across the street and shot Ramirez in the buttocks. The shooter, described as a bald Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, 180 pounds, and wearing a blue jersey, fled the scene on foot, possibly armed with a silver revolver.

Ramirez was taken to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery and was reported to be in stable condition by Saturday evening. He was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, though he has not yet been booked into jail due to his hospitalization. The LAPD is investigating both the crash and the shooting, with the shooter still at large and considered armed and dangerous.

Initial reports suggested Ramirez may have lost consciousness before the crash, but the LAFD later clarified that this could not be confirmed. Instead, police believe Ramirez was intoxicated, based on statements from law enforcement sources, though no official confirmation of a toxicology report has been released. The motive for the crash remains under investigation, with the LAPD exploring whether it was related to Ramirez’s ejection from the club or other personal disputes.

Community and Official Response

The incident sent shockwaves through the East Hollywood community and beyond. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement calling it a “heartbreaking tragedy” and expressed gratitude to the more than 100 LAPD and LAFD personnel who responded to the scene. “The hearts of Angelenos are with all of the victims impacted this morning — a full investigation into what happened is underway,” Bass said.

The Vermont Hollywood released a statement on social media, expressing deep sadness over the incident and offering prayers for the victims and their families. The club pledged to work closely with law enforcement to ensure accountability for the “horrific act.” Some attendees who arrived later that morning, unaware of the incident, expressed frustration that the event had not been canceled or communicated more clearly. One patron, Nate Speller, who drove 90 minutes to the venue, told ABC News, “They definitely should have let us know before we drove out here.”

The LAPD is actively searching for the shooter, with plans to release surveillance footage to aid MSN to identify him. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with authorities reviewing additional security footage to determine the sequence of events and the motive.

Broader Implications

This incident raises significant questions about public safety, crowd behavior, and the role of alcohol in violent incidents. Los Angeles has seen a notable number of pedestrian-involved traffic collisions in recent years, with 1,333 such incidents between 2019 and 2022, resulting in 153 deaths and 301 severe injuries, according to the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health. The deliberate nature of this crash, coupled with the violent response from bystanders, underscores the potential for rapid escalation in crowded urban environments.

The fact that Ramirez was reportedly intoxicated highlights ongoing concerns about drunk driving in Los Angeles. In 2024, the city recorded 302 traffic fatalities, a decrease from 345 in 2023, but incidents like this demonstrate that the issue persists. The LAPD’s investigation will likely explore whether better security measures at nightlife venues could prevent such incidents, particularly in cases where patrons are ejected for disruptive behavior.

The shooting of Ramirez by a bystander also raises questions about gun violence and vigilante justice. While the crowd’s anger is understandable given the severity of the crash, the act of shooting the driver complicates the legal and ethical dimensions of the case. The LAPD’s description of the shooter as “armed and dangerous” suggests a broader concern about firearms in public spaces, particularly in high-energy environments like nightclubs.

Eyewitness Accounts and Social Media Reactions

Eyewitness accounts paint a vivid picture of the chaos. Maria Medrano, a hot dog vendor who was injured in the crash, told the Associated Press that the car stopped only when it hit her stand, saying, “If not, I wouldn’t be here to tell the story.” Another witness described the scene as “crazy,” with people lying on the ground, bleeding and unconscious. Social media footage captured the immediate aftermath, showing victims being treated on tarps and the damaged Nissan Versa on the sidewalk.

Posts on X reflected a range of sentiments, from shock and anger to speculation about the driver’s motives. One user, @CherylSkaggs7, questioned whether the act was driven by revenge, while @PaulRevere2016 incorrectly claimed the driver was killed, highlighting the spread of misinformation in the immediate aftermath. Others, like @chamilravinda, noted initial confusion about whether the driver was shot before or after the crash, a detail later clarified by the LAPD.

Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact

The LAPD’s investigation is focused on determining the exact motive and circumstances of the crash. While security footage confirms the act was intentional, questions remain about whether it was premeditated or a spontaneous reaction to Ramirez’s ejection from the club. The search for the shooter continues, with police urging the public to provide information about the suspect.

The incident has left a lasting impact on the East Hollywood community. By Saturday morning, the area had returned to some normalcy, with a flea market setting up nearby, but signs of the crash remained, including bloodstains and debris. Jennifer Garcia, a jewelry vendor who typically sets up outside the club, expressed shock at the scene, noting she had to move her stall due to the incident.

Conclusion

The tragic events outside The Vermont Hollywood nightclub on July 19, 2025, highlight the fragility of public safety in vibrant urban settings. The intentional crash, which injured 30 people, and the subsequent assault and shooting of the driver underscore the potential for violence to escalate rapidly. As the LAPD continues its investigation, the community grapples with questions about nightclub security, crowd behavior, and the role of alcohol and firearms in such incidents. The resilience of the victims and the swift response of first responders offer some hope amidst the tragedy, but the event serves as a stark reminder of the need for ongoing efforts to enhance public safety in Los Angeles.