NEED TO KNOW
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A car drove into a crowd on Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, on Saturday, July 19
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According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, at least 30 people were injured in the incident with as many as 7 in critical condition
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The crowd was allegedly outside Vermont Hollywood nightclub when the unknown vehicle crashed into them
At least 30 people have been injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd in Los Angeles.
At around 2:00 a.m. local time on Saturday, July 19, a vehicle drove into a crowd on Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) stated in a news release.
Multiple people were injured, with at least 7 in critical condition and 6 in serious condition, the LAFD said.
A male with a gunshot wound was among those injured, ABC 7 reported, citing the LAFD.
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The Vermont Hollywood nightclub, Los Angeles
Photos of the scene obtained by Daily Mail and the BBC show a gray car with a crumpled bonnet stationed near the Vermont Hollywood nightclub on Santa Monica Boulevard with police tape surrounding the vehicle.
Several police officers and fire team members can also be seen gathered in the area.
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The driver of the car allegedly crashed into the crowd after being removed from a nearby business, ABC 7 reported, citing the Los Angeles Police Department.
“They were all standing in line going into a nightclub. There was a taco cart out there, so they were … getting some food, waiting to go in. And there’s also a valet line there,” LAFD Capt. Adam Van Gerpen said of the crowd, according to the outlet. “The valet podium was taken out, the taco truck was taken out, and then a large number of people were impacted by the vehicle.”
The driver — who was allegedly in a Nissan Versa — had a gunshot wound after bystanders removed him from the vehicle and began to attack him following the incident.
The majority of the victims struck by the car were female, AP reported.
A witness told the outlet that a fight had broken out outside of the club before the car ramming.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy. I want to thank the more than 100 LAFD and LAPD personnel who responded to the scene to help to save lives,” Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement, per ABC 7. “The hearts of Angelenos are with all of the victims impacted this morning – a full investigation into what happened is underway.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the LAFD for comment.
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