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Toronto Sun
6 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Driver accused of car attack in L.A. charged with 37 counts of attempted murder
Published Jul 22, 2025 • 2 minute read Law enforcement investigate the scene where a vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles early Saturday, July 19, 2025 injuring several people. Photo by Damian Dovarganes / AP Photo LOS ANGELES — The driver accused of ramming his car into a crowd outside a Los Angeles nightclub over the weekend was charged with 37 counts of attempted murder, prosecutors said Tuesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Fernando Ramirez, 29, was also charged with 37 counts of assault with a deadly weapon. If convicted, he could face multiple sentences of life imprisonment. Ramirez is accused of intentionally driving his car onto the sidewalk as partygoers were leaving the Vermont Hollywood venue at the end of a reggae hip-hop event early Saturday. A phone number for Ramirez could not be found in an online database search, and the public defender's office has not responded to requests for a comment about whether one of its attorneys is representing him. 'When he drove that car onto that sidewalk, he aimed it at a whole sea of pedestrians,' L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in announcing the charges. Read More Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The car came to a stop after colliding with several food carts, which became lodged underneath the vehicle, and bystanders attacked the driver, according to police. Injuries ranged from minor to serious fractures and lacerations, and some people were briefly trapped beneath the vehicle. After fleeing the scene, Ramirez was later found to have been shot in the lower back, but authorities have not identified the suspected gunman. Officials said Tuesday they were still looking for the shooter. 'We understand that this brazen act has shaken the community and but for the good grace of God, this could have been a mass-casualty incident' Hochman said. He added that eight people suffered 'great bodily injury.' Among those injured, 23 people were transported to hospitals, said Ronnie Villanueva, interim fire chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said 'it's truly a miracle that no one was killed that day.' Ramirez has a criminal history that includes a battery and gang-related charge in 2014, an aggravated battery conviction for a 2019 attack on a Black man at a Whole Foods grocery store in Laguna Beach, Calif., and a domestic violence charge in 2021, records show. Ramirez 'has proved to be violent to strangers and family alike and clearly has a lack of concern for the safety of others,' Orange County prosecutors said in a court filing for the 2019 attack. A 2024 drunken driving case and 2022 domestic violence charge were pending at the time of the nightclub crash, according to records. Canada Columnists Olympics Celebrity Entertainment
Winnipeg Free Press
5 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Prosecutors expected to announce felony charges in LA car crash outside nightclub that injured 36
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles prosecutors are expected to announce felony charges Tuesday in connection with a car crash outside a nightclub over the weekend that injured at least 36 people and led to the driver being shot. Partygoers were leaving the Vermont Hollywood venue at the end of a reggae hip-hop event early Saturday when a vehicle rammed into the crowd along a busy boulevard in East Hollywood. The car came to a stop after colliding with several food carts, which became lodged underneath the vehicle, and bystanders attacked the driver, according to police. Injuries ranged from minor pain to serious fractures and lacerations, and some people were briefly trapped beneath the vehicle. A vehicle sits on the sidewalk after ramming into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles early Saturday, July 19, 2025 injuring several people. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is expected to announce felony charges against the driver, who was identified Sunday as 29-year-old Fernando Ramirez. He is expected to face a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon. A phone number for Ramirez could not be found in an online database search, and the public defender's office has not responded to requests for comment on whether one of its attorneys is representing him. Ramirez was later found to have been shot in the lower back, but authorities have not identified the suspected gunman. Los Angeles police released surveillance photos Monday from cameras near the crash showing a man with a goatee wearing a blue Dodgers jacket and a light blue jersey with the number '5.' Ramirez has a criminal history that includes a battery and gang-related charge in 2014, an aggravated battery conviction for a 2019 attack on a Black man at a Whole Foods grocery store in Laguna Beach, California, and a domestic violence charge in 2021, records show. Ramirez 'has proved to be violent to strangers and family alike and clearly has a lack of concern for the safety of others,' Orange County prosecutors said in a court filing for the 2019 attack. A 2024 drunken driving case and 2022 domestic violence charge were pending at the time of the nightclub crash, according to records.
Japan Today
a day ago
- Japan Today
Authorities investigating LA shooting and crash that injured dozens ask for tips to find gunman
A vehicle sits on the sidewalk after ramming into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles early Saturday, July 19, 2025 injuring several people. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) By JAIMIE DING Police investigating a crash outside a Los Angeles nightclub that injured at least 36 people asked for help Monday to find the man they suspect of shooting the driver. A vehicle rammed into a crowd of people outside the Vermont Hollywood venue early Saturday along a busy boulevard in East Hollywood, leading bystanders to attack the driver, authorities said. The driver was later found to have been shot in the lower back, according to police. Los Angeles police released surveillance photos Monday from cameras near the crash showing a man with a goatee wearing a blue Dodgers jacket and a light blue jersey with the number '5." Officials are asking for help in identifying him. The driver was identified Sunday as 29-year-old Fernando Ramirez. He is expected to face a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon. A phone number for Ramirez could not be found in an online database search and the public defender's office has not responded to requests for comment on whether one of its attorneys is representing him. The Vermont Hollywood nightclub was hosting a reggae hip-hop event Friday night, according to its calendar. People were leaving at the end of the event when the car crashed into them, the venue said online. 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred early Saturday morning outside our venue,' the Vermont Hollywood club said. "We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the person responsible for this horrific act is held fully accountable.' Ramirez's car came to a stop after colliding with several food carts, which became lodged underneath the vehicle, police said. Injuries ranged from minor pain to serious fractures and lacerations, and some people were briefly trapped beneath the vehicle, police said. Ramirez has a criminal history that includes an aggravated battery conviction for a 2019 attack on a Black man who worked at a Whole Foods grocery store in Laguna Beach, California. He was also convicted of a civil rights misdemeanor and race-based hate crime after expressing to police that he hated Black people. That was later overturned in 2021 after a California appeals court found he made that statement after invoking his Fifth Amendment rights. Ramirez 'has proved to be violent to strangers and family alike and clearly has a lack of concern for the safety of others,' Orange County prosecutors said in a court filing at the time. He also pleaded guilty in 2014 to battery and a gang-related charge, and in 2021 to domestic violence, records show. A 2024 drunken driving case and 2022 domestic violence charge were pending at the time of the nightclub crash, according to records. Associated Press reporter Ed White contributed from Detroit. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Suspect in Los Angeles car-ramming incident was on parole, police say
Published Jul 20, 2025 • 1 minute read Law enforcement investigate the scene where a vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles early Saturday, July 19, 2025 injuring several people. Photo by Damian Dovarganes / AP Photo LOS ANGELES — A man suspected of driving his car into a crowd on a sidewalk in Los Angeles, injuring 36 people, has a criminal history that includes a conviction for felony battery, officials said Sunday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The driver, identified by police as Fernando Ramirez, 29, was attacked by bystanders after the crash early Saturday in East Hollywood and paramedics later found that he had been shot. Police were still searching for the suspected shooter, described as a man with a goatee in a blue Dodgers jacket. Ramirez, of San Clemente, Calif., was recovering and was expected to face a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon. He could not be reached for comment and it wasn't known if he had an attorney. Los Angeles police Capt. Ben Fernandes told KNBC-TV on Sunday that Ramirez was sentenced in 2020 for attacking a man outside of a Whole Foods grocery store in June 2019. He was on parole at the time of Saturday's crash, but it's unclear whether it was in connection with the 2019 attack or another case. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Ramirez has had at least 11 criminal cases ranging from misdemeanours to felonies, KNBC reported. In January 2022, he was charged with felony domestic battery and entered a not-guilty plea. That case remains open. A line of people — mostly women — were waiting to enter the Vermont Hollywood event venue around 2 a.m. when they were struck by a Nissan Versa that also hit a food vending cart and valet stand, Fire Capt. Adam VanGerpen said Saturday. At least 36 people were treated for injuries including fractures and lacerations, police said Sunday without providing updates on their conditions. It was not immediately clear if Ramirez was shot before or after the crash or why he drove into the crowd. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons Toronto & GTA Football Toronto & GTA
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Economic Times
Hollywood Los Angeles car attack: What do we know about suspect who drove car into crowd?
An area is roped off after a vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles early Saturday, July 19, 2025, injuring several people. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs A man suspected of driving a car into a crowd in Hollywood early Saturday and injuring 30 people is in custody, a Los Angeles Police Department official said. A driver of a small hatchback plowed into a crowd outside a Los Angeles music venue early Saturday, injuring at least 30 people, including seven critically, authorities said. People in the crowd pulled the driver from the car and were beating him when police officers arrived, authorities said. As he was being treated, emergency workers discovered a gunshot wound, and he has been hospitalized. Investigators were trying to determine the circumstances preceding the crash, police officials said, and whether it was intentional."He was transported to the hospital, he's undergoing surgery, he is in stable condition. However, he is not free to leave, he is in the custody of Los Angeles Police Department, and we're looking at charges such as attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon at this point," Lillian Carranza told broadcaster CBS, as per AFP said the driver veered onto the sidewalk about 2 a.m. near the intersection of North Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard in the East Hollywood neighborhood. The crowd had come from a night of DJs playing reggaeton and hip-hop that had just ended at the Vermont Hollywood, a performance venue and vehicle struck a taco cart and "then ultimately ran into a large number of people who were outside a club in East Hollywood," Captain Adam VanGerpen, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department, told reporters at the scene on Saturday captured at the scene showed firefighters treating injured people on tarps on Vermont Avenue, and a small gray car with its front end mangled outside the doors of the venue. The sidewalk was littered with debris, including a pair of sneakers left in front of where the car had Savis, the general manager of the Vermont Hollywood, expressed her gratitude for the "swift and compassionate" response of firefighters and police officers. "We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the person responsible for this horrific act is held fully accountable," she said in a mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, called the crash "a heartbreaking tragedy." "The hearts of all Angelenos are with East Hollywood this morning and those impacted," she said in a social media post on Saturday morning.A1. Mayor of Los Angeles is Karen Bass.A2. Officials said the driver veered onto the sidewalk about 2 a.m. near the intersection of North Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard in the East Hollywood neighborhood. The crowd had come from a night of DJs playing reggaeton and hip-hop that had just ended at the Vermont Hollywood, a performance venue and club.
