News Summary
In a tragic incident, Fernando Ramirez crashed his vehicle into a crowd outside a music venue in East Hollywood, resulting in numerous injuries. With a troubling criminal history involving multiple violent offenses and a previous hate crime conviction, the chaos unfolded after Ramirez was ejected from the venue. Emergency services swiftly responded, treating dozens of victims, while community members grappled with the aftermath of the violence, including the search for an individual who shot Ramirez during the incident.
Driver with Hate Crime History Strikes Crowd Outside Club
In a shocking incident early Saturday morning, a driver identified as Fernando Ramirez allegedly plowed his vehicle into a bustling crowd outside a popular music venue in East Hollywood. The scene turned chaotic when Ramirez’s car struck street vendors and partygoers, injuring dozens of people.
A Troubling Background
Before this terrible event, Ramirez was no stranger to the law. He has a record of **eleven criminal cases** dating back over the past eleven years, with several involving violent offenses. Among these was a conviction in 2019 for a **hate crime** in Orange County, where he assaulted a Black employee at a Whole Foods Market. Although he had spent time in prison for that attack, which left the victim with a broken nose and damaged teeth, an appeals court later overturned part of the conviction due to a **Miranda rights violation**, though they kept the aggravated battery charge intact.
That Fateful Night
Prior to the mayhem, Ramirez faced ejection from the Vermont Hollywood club but later returned around 2 a.m. with his car, setting the stage for the horrific events that followed. Witnesses described the atmosphere as lively before the disaster struck, turning from fun to frenzy in an instant.
Injuries and Immediate Response
The aftermath of the crash saw at least **36 victims injured**, with injuries ranging from minor pain to major fractures and lacerations. A staggering **23 individuals** had to be hospitalized, while some were hit by the vehicle, and a few even found themselves briefly trapped under it. The immediate response from emergency services was swift, with over **120 firefighters and paramedics** rushing to the scene to provide aid.
Aftermath and Community Response
As bystanders tried to pull Ramirez from his vehicle, chaos erupted. Eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes filled with screams and people lying on the ground. During the fray, Ramirez was physically assaulted, captured on video receiving punches and kicks from the crowd. In a twist of fate, he was also shot in the buttocks by an unknown assailant, who remains at large.
The Search for the Shooter
The LAPD is now on the lookout for the suspect who shot Ramirez, described as a **Latino male** about **5-foot-7**, weighing between **150 to 170 pounds**, last seen wearing a blue Dodgers jacket paired with a light blue jersey. Police have not yet apprehended this individual, and the investigation is ongoing.
A Void in the Community
The Vermont Hollywood club expressed its sorrow over the incident via social media, announcing the cancellation of a sold-out show scheduled for that night as they reacted to the tragic events outside their doors. It’s a reflective moment for the community, grappling with the disturbing reality of what unfolded and the injuries suffered by so many during a promising night out.
The Road Ahead for Ramirez
Looking forward, Ramirez continues to face several pending charges in Orange County, including DUI and domestic battery from an incident in 2022. As this case unfolds, it underscores the complexities of addressing hate crimes and violent behavior, leaving many questioning how such acts could occur in the first place and how they can work to prevent them in the future. The community hopes to heal from this incident while striving for safety and unity.
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