A violent and chaotic scene unfolded early Saturday morning, July 19, 2025, outside The Vermont Hollywood nightclub in East Hollywood, leaving at least 30 people injured and sparking a manhunt for a gunman who shot the driver responsible for the incident.
At approximately 2:00 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon near the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Vermont Avenue. According to LAPD Commander Lillian Carranza, a man who had been involved in earlier altercations inside the nightclub intentionally drove a gray Nissan Versa into a crowd gathered outside the venue, which included clubgoers, valet attendants, and food vendors near a taco cart.
The driver, who had been ejected from The Vermont Hollywood twice earlier that night for intoxicated and disruptive behavior, reportedly became enraged after being removed. After his second ejection, he returned to his vehicle, made a U-turn, and deliberately drove onto the sidewalk, striking a taco cart, a valet podium, and a large group of people. The impact caused widespread panic, with witnesses describing a “loud bang” that many initially mistook for gunshots. “People were lying down, unconscious, bleeding,” said one clubgoer who witnessed the aftermath.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported that 124 emergency personnel responded to the mass-casualty incident. Of the 30 victims, seven were in critical condition, six sustained serious injuries, and ten had moderate or minor injuries. Seven others declined medical treatment at the scene. The victims, ranging in age from their mid-20s to early 30s, included 18 women and 12 men. The LAFD set up triage tents to treat the injured, many of whom suffered broken bones and soft tissue injuries, and transported 23 people to local hospitals and trauma centers.
Following the crash, enraged bystanders pulled the driver from his vehicle and physically assaulted him. During the melee, an unidentified suspect shot the driver, who was subsequently transported to a hospital, underwent surgery, and is now in stable condition. The driver, whose identity has not been released, remains in LAPD custody as he recovers, with potential charges including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon under consideration. Due to his injuries, police have not yet determined if he was under the influence at the time of the crash.
The LAPD is actively searching for the gunman who shot the driver and fled the scene on foot, last seen heading westbound on Vermont Avenue. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing around 180 pounds, bald, and wearing a blue jersey. He is believed to be armed with a silver revolver and is considered dangerous. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the LAPD’s Rampart Division at (213) 484-3424 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Photos and videos from the scene show a heavily damaged gray Nissan Versa stranded on the sidewalk, surrounded by debris, police tape, and emergency responders tending to injured individuals. The Vermont Hollywood, which was hosting a reggae and hip-hop event that evening, issued a statement expressing grief over the tragedy: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred early Saturday morning outside our venue. Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the person responsible for this horrific act is held fully accountable.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the incident a “heartbreaking tragedy” in a statement, thanking the more than 100 LAFD and LAPD personnel who responded to save lives. “The hearts of Angelenos are with all of the victims impacted this morning—a full investigation into what happened is underway,” she said.
The LAPD continues to investigate both the crash and the shooting as separate incidents, with ongoing efforts to canvass area cameras and gather witness accounts to determine the full sequence of events and the motive behind the driver’s actions.
