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A vehicle struck a crowd waiting to enter a nightclub on a busy boulevard in Los Angeles early Saturday morning.
In the attack, the driver injured at least 30 people and provoked bystanders to confront him, according to authorities. The victims of the mass vehicular assault were waiting to enter the Vermont Hollywood, located on the busy Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood, as reported by media outlets.
The victims were taken to local hospitals and trauma centers, according to Captain Adam Van Gerpen, public information officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department.
At least seven people were in critical condition after being hit by the car outside the club.
According to the Los Angeles police, the attacker was later shot and a suspected shooter fled the scene.
A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department indicated that it was unclear whether the driver had been shot before or after the accident, or why he had charged into the crowd.
The fire chief explained that a line of people -mostly women- was waiting to enter the nightclub when they were struck by a Nissan Versa that also collided with a taco truck and a valet stand.
"Everyone was lining up to enter a nightclub. There was a taco cart, so they were... eating something while waiting to get in. And there was also a line of valets there," he said. "The valet podium was removed, the taco truck was taken away, and then a large number of people were hit by the vehicle."
The people inside the club went out to help in the minutes leading up to the arrival of the emergency teams, he said, to assist the victims.
The driver, whose gunshot wound was discovered by paramedics, was taken to a local hospital. The police did not identify him or disclose his condition. The shooter was described as a man wearing a blue sweater and carrying a silver revolver.
The Vermont Hollywood club was organizing a reggae/hip hop event from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM, according to its online schedule.
Before the incident, there had been a fight outside the venue, according to a woman who worked at a food cart outside.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mass Casualty Incident in Los Angeles
What happened in the mass pedestrian collision in Los Angeles?
A vehicle plowed into a crowd waiting to enter a nightclub in Los Angeles, injuring 30 people. The incident occurred at Vermont Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard, prompting an immediate response from emergency services, which transported the victims to local hospitals.
What is the condition of the injured after the accident in Los Angeles?
Of the 30 injured, at least seven people are in critical condition. The victims were treated at local hospitals and trauma centers. The incident left several individuals in serious condition, which has required intensive medical care.
Who is responsible for the mass casualty incident in Los Angeles?
The driver of the vehicle, whose identity has not been revealed, was found with a gunshot wound and taken to a hospital. Authorities are still investigating whether the driver was shot before or after the incident and are searching for a possible shooter who fled the scene.
How did the crowd react after the incident in Los Angeles?
Witnesses of the incident, including those inside the nightclub, quickly rushed out to assist the victims before the emergency teams arrived. The crowd attempted to help and attend to the injured while waiting for the medical services to arrive.
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