A car struck a crowd outside a nightclub on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles early Saturday morning, injuring at least 30 people, according to local authorities.
Seven people are in critical condition, and six others suffered serious injuries, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
The crash happened just before 2 a.m. local time (0900 GMT). Emergency services arrived quickly to treat the injured and secure the scene.
Captain Adam VanGerpen, a fire department spokesperson, told ABC News that a paramedic found a gunshot wound on one of the injured. He could not confirm whether the injured person was the driver.
Witnesses said the car first hit a taco truck outside the venue. It then drove through a valet stand and into a large group of people.
Videos on social media platform X showed emergency crews blocking roads and moving victims into ambulances.
Authorities have not yet released the driver’s name or confirmed what caused the incident. ABC News reported that a Hispanic man shot the driver, but police have not verified this.
The Los Angeles Police Department said the crash happened shortly after a person was removed from a nearby business. Investigators believe that person was the driver.
Mayor responds to the incident
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the event a “heartbreaking tragedy.” She thanked the more than 100 firefighters and police officers who responded.
“My thoughts are with all those affected,” she said. “A full investigation is underway.”
