Los Angeles, CA — Police have arrested Efrain Villalobos, 28, in connection with the July 19 shooting of a driver who plowed into a crowd outside a popular Los Angeles nightclub, in a chaotic incident that left dozens injured and a community searching for answers.
Villalobos was arrested on Sunday afternoon in Redondo Beach, about 12 miles south of Los Angeles, and has been booked on suspicion of attempted murder with no bail, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Crash and Chaos Outside Vermont Hollywood Club
The incident began in the early hours of July 19, when a car rammed into a crowd of patrons leaving the Vermont Hollywood nightclub along a busy stretch of East Hollywood. Witnesses say the vehicle collided with several food carts, which became lodged underneath, and some people were trapped beneath the car.
Authorities said at least 23 people were hospitalized, suffering injuries that ranged from minor pain to serious fractures and lacerations.
Bystanders attacked the driver, Fernando Ramirez, 29, after the crash. Police later discovered he had been shot in the lower back, possibly during or immediately after the crash. The shooter fled the scene on foot, setting off a citywide manhunt.
Suspect Taken Into Custody, Driver Also Facing Charges
While it remains unclear what prompted the shooting, police announced the arrest of Villalobos over the weekend but have not confirmed whether he and Ramirez knew each other, or whether the shooting was in self-defense or retaliation.
Villalobos was located after a multi-agency search and taken into custody without incident. A search for a motive is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Fernando Ramirez, the driver of the vehicle, has been charged with:
- 37 felony counts of attempted murder
- 37 felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon
If convicted, Ramirez could face multiple life sentences, prosecutors said.
Public Response and Legal Proceedings
The shooting and crash sent shockwaves through the local community. Authorities have described the scene as “chaotic and traumatic,” particularly due to the number of victims and the intensity of the injuries sustained.
No contact information has been located for Villalobos or his family. The public defender’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
As legal proceedings begin for both Ramirez and Villalobos, authorities are continuing to piece together the sequence of events, as well as the intentions of both men leading up to the incident.
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