A California man has been charged with 74 felony counts after allegedly driving his car into a crowd in Los Angeles, injuring 37 people, including seven critically, authorities announced.
Fernando Ramirez, 29, is facing 37 counts of attempted murder and 37 counts of assault with a deadly weapon — one for each of the victims — following the violent incident on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood around 2 a.m. on July 19, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
“The defendant’s brazen and destructive actions, as alleged in the criminal complaint, have caused unimaginable harm to dozens of innocent people,” said District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman in a statement. “We are committed to pursuing justice with care and compassion for those impacted.”
Ramirez, a resident of San Clemente, was arrested on July 20 and is being held without bail. His arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown L.A.
Authorities say Ramirez allegedly drove his vehicle onto the sidewalk, slamming into a crowd waiting outside The Vermont, a nightclub in Hollywood. After the crash, he was reportedly pulled from the car by bystanders, according to LAPD Cmdr. Lillian Carranza.
“Somebody in that crowd reportedly shot the driver,” Carranza told reporters on July 20. Ramirez was hospitalized and underwent surgery but is said to be in stable condition.
In addition to the L.A. charges, Ramirez also has an unrelated domestic violence case pending in Orange County, officials said.
The motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
