A man has been charged with 37 counts of attempted murder after allegedly driving his car into a crowd in Los Angeles over the weekend. The suspect, 29-year-old Fernando Ramirez, also faces 37 counts of assault with a deadly weapon, with the vehicle being classified as the weapon, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. Saturday outside The Vermont music venue in East Hollywood. Hochman stated that the charges correspond to the 37 victims involved in the incident. Among them, eight individuals sustained serious injuries, including fractures and lacerations.

"We understand that this brazen act has shaken the community," Hochman said during a press briefing. He emphasized that Ramirez allegedly aimed his vehicle at pedestrians on the sidewalk, many of whom were waiting at a taco truck or for valet service.

Authorities reported that the crash happened after Ramirez was removed from the nightclub. He then drove onto the sidewalk, striking the crowd gathered outside. Los Angeles Fire Department Interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva described the scene as "incredibly chaotic and distressing."

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell remarked, "It's truly a miracle no one was killed." After the vehicle became disabled, bystanders pulled Ramirez from the car and began to assault him. During this altercation, an unidentified man shot Ramirez in the lower back before fleeing the scene.

Ramirez was treated at a hospital and later booked into jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently being held without bail and is scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday. If convicted, he could face multiple life sentences in state prison.

McDonnell noted that Ramirez has an extensive history of violence. At the time of the incident, he was out on bail related to a 2022 domestic violence case in Orange County. The police are still searching for the individual who shot Ramirez, with McDonnell stating, "We understand the emotions involved, but when the threat had ended and the suspect was no longer actively harming others, the use of deadly force was both unlawful and dangerous to everybody present."

Detectives are actively working to identify and apprehend the shooter.