LOS ANGELES (AP) — Officials reported Sunday that a man suspected of driving his car into a crowd on a sidewalk in Los Angeles, injuring 36 individuals, has a criminal record that includes a conviction for felony battery.
The suspect, identified by police as 29-year-old Fernando Ramirez, was assaulted by bystanders following the incident early Saturday in east Hollywood. Paramedics later discovered that he had been shot. Authorities are still searching for the shooter, who has been described as a man with a goatee wearing a blue Dodgers jacket.
Ramirez, hailing from San Clemente, California, is recovering and is anticipated to face a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful, and there is no information regarding whether he has secured legal representation.
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.
