At least 28 individuals have been injured after a vehicle plowed into a crowd on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, according to authorities.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported that seven people sustained critical injuries, while six others are in serious condition. The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. local time (09:00 GMT), near a nightclub on North Vermont Avenue, close to the bustling intersection with Santa Monica Boulevard—an area well known for its nightlife.
One of the injured individuals was found with a gunshot wound, LAFD Captain Adam VanGerpen said. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing gunfire, and police have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event.
“There is an ongoing police investigation,” Capt. VanGerpen told reporters, noting that the gunshot victim may potentially be the driver, though this has not been confirmed.
Photos from the scene depict a grey car resting on the sidewalk, surrounded by scattered debris and a heavy police presence.
The motive or cause of the crash remains unclear at this time.
Capt. VanGerpen confirmed that all victims were transported to hospitals or trauma centers. He also stated that the majority of those injured were women who had been standing in line to enter the nightclub.
Describing the aftermath, he added: “It was a very chaotic scene. A lot of bystanders near the club rushed to help the injured.”
