The suspect allegedly responsible for ramming a car into a crowd in Los Angeles, California, late last week was hit with more than 70 criminal charges on Tuesday.
The man, identified as 29-year-old Fernando Ramirez, is facing 37 counts of attempted murder for each victim wounded and an additional 37 counts of assault with a deadly weapon, with the vehicle as the weapon. Saturday’s car attack resulted in no fatalities.
“Mr. Ramirez will face the full accountability for his actions when we get him into court, and we look forward to that opportunity, to presenting that evidence to, if it’s a jury, a jury, and convicting him on each and every one of these counts,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in announcing the charges. “At that point, we’ll tell the judge to put him away for the rest of his life.”
Hochman revealed the victims suffered many injuries, including “serious fractures, lacerations, and broken bones.”
“It is truly a miracle that nobody was killed that night,” Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said.
Police believe Ramirez was intoxicated after he was kicked out of a Los Angeles nightclub for disruptive behavior. Hochman did not comment on whether Ramirez was drunk or high at the time of the vehicular attack outside the nightclub. It remains unclear if he was specifically targeting anyone in the crowd.
After the incident, a gunman shot Ramirez in the back before fleeing the scene. Police are still searching for the shooter.
The 29-year-old man from San Clemente in Orange County has an extensive criminal record. He was sentenced in 2020 for a hate crime attack on a black man the year before and previously sentenced for a 2014 gang-related felony assault. He is currently awaiting trial on charges of driving while intoxicated and domestic battery.
DRIVER IN LA NIGHTCLUB CAR RAMMING IS FELON OUT ON PAROLE
Ramirez was expected to appear in court for his arraignment related to the car crash on Wednesday, but the court date was delayed. His first court appearance has been moved to July 30.
The suspect is being held without bail ahead of his trial. If convicted, he could face multiple life sentences in prison.