Man charged after car ploughs into crowd outside LA nightclub, injuring 30
- Published
A man suspected of driving his car into a crowd of people in Los Angeles has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
Thirty people were injured in the incident outside a nightclub in East Hollywood, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said.
A line of mostly women were waiting to enter the Vermont Hollywood music venue when the car struck at 02:00 local time (09:00 GMT) on Saturday.
The suspect was taken to a local hospital for surgery after suffering a gunshot wound during the incident, LAPD Commander Lillian Carranza said.
The LAPD is investigating the crash as an intentional act because the driver made a U-turn before ramming through the crowd, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News.
Police said that when officers arrived, bystanders had dragged the driver out of the Nissan Versa and were attacking him.
One assailant shot the driver, who was taken to hospital for surgery, the LAPD added. His condition is unknown.
The vehicle drove through a taco stand, through a valet podium, and then into the crowd, according to police.
The nightclub was hosting a reggae and hip hop event at the time, according to its website.
A law enforcement official told CNN the driver is believed to have been intoxicated.
Police described the suspect who opened fire during the melee before fleeing on foot as a bald Hispanic man. He was wearing a blue jersey and potentially armed with a silver-coloured revolver.
On Saturday night, seven people were in critical condition and six were in serious condition, authorities said. Ten suffered minor injuries while seven left the hospital against medical advice.
Pictures from the scene show a grey car on a pavement with debris strewn on the ground, and a large police presence.
In a statement, 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 under way," she said.
The victims have all been taken to hospitals or trauma centres, LAFD Captain Adam VanGerpen told reporters at the scene.
"It was a very chaotic scene," Capt VanGerpen said, adding that "a lot of bystanders by the club came out to help people".
Watch: "It was a very chaotic scene," says LA fire department captain
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