LOS ANGELES, CA — Police have arrested Efrain Villalobos, the man accused of opening fire on a driver who crashed into a crowd outside an East Hollywood club last month.
The 38-year-old was located and taken into custody Sunday afternoon in Redondo Beach, following a search that began after the July 20 incident. Authorities have not released further details regarding the arrest but confirmed the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.
According to investigators, Villalobos allegedly shot Fernando Ramirez, 29, moments after Ramirez drove his vehicle into a large crowd gathered outside The Vermont Hollywood, near Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard.
As bystanders pulled Ramirez from the vehicle and began attacking him, Villalobos reportedly drew a firearm and shot him. Ramirez sustained a gunshot wound to the buttocks and was hospitalized before being taken into custody.
Ramirez now faces 74 criminal charges for the crash, which injured over three dozen people. He remains in custody on $37 million bail.
Detectives identified Villalobos as the shooter just days before his arrest. LAPD described him as “armed and dangerous” and stated that he will face serious felony charges related to the shooting.
