Los Angeles, CA – Fernando Ramirez, 29, has been identified as the suspect who allegedly intentionally drove his car into a crowd outside The Vermont Hollywood nightclub in East Hollywood on Saturday, July 19, 2025, injuring at least 36 people. The incident, which occurred around 2:00 AM as the venue was closing, led to Ramirez being pulled from his vehicle by bystanders and subsequently shot in the buttocks before police apprehended him.
Authorities confirmed that Ramirez, a San Clemente resident, possesses a lengthy and violent criminal history, including at least 11 criminal cases in Orange County ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. According to ABC7 Eyewitness News, the suspect has had "two stints in state prison" and was reportedly on parole at the time of the car-ramming incident.
Police stated that Ramirez had been ejected from the nightclub shortly before the crash for being intoxicated and disruptive. He then allegedly made a U-turn and drove his Nissan Versa onto the sidewalk, striking a line of people, many of whom were women, waiting outside the venue. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the incident as an intentional act, noting that video evidence shows Ramirez driving around a bus and onto the sidewalk.
Ramirez is currently hospitalized for his gunshot wound and is expected to face charges of assault with a deadly weapon. Meanwhile, the LAPD is actively searching for the individual who shot Ramirez, described as a man with a goatee wearing a blue Dodgers jacket. The incident has drawn significant attention, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass thanking first responders and promising a full investigation.