Suspect in Los Angeles car-ramming incident has a criminal history and
was on parole, police say
[July 21, 2025]
LOS ANGELES (AP) — 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.
The driver, identified by police as 29-year-old Fernando Ramirez, 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. |
Police patrol vehicles close Vermiont Ave. after a vehicle rammed into a
crowd gathered outside "The Vermont" nightclub in Los Angeles, early
morning Saturday, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) |
|
Ramirez, of San Clemente, California, 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.
Ramirez has had at least 11 criminal cases ranging from
misdemeanors 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.
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