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Los Angeles City Hall evacuated after car travels into steps, sidewalk in front of building; driver in custody

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, October 4th 2025 at 10:47 GMT by Fox News
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Los Angeles City Hall Evacuated After a Car Drives onto the Sidewalk in Front of the Building; Driver Taken into Custody

Los Angeles, California – A routine workday in the heart of downtown turned into a scene of alarm when a car drove onto the sidewalk in front of Los Angeles City Hall, prompting an immediate evacuation of the historic municipal building and the swift arrest of the driver.

A Sudden Threat on a Familiar Street

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) received a call from a security guard on City Hall’s front steps. The guard reported that a black sedan had accelerated onto the pedestrian walkway, slamming into a pile of flowers and a nearby sidewalk flagpole. By the time police units arrived, the vehicle had already left the scene, but its driver was still present on the sidewalk, waving a hand in a gesture that was described as “hostile” by witnesses.

City Hall—an iconic Art Deco landmark built in 1928—has long been a symbol of the city’s governance. It sits at the intersection of 1st Street and 1st Avenue, a bustling hub that sees thousands of municipal employees, city officials, and the public each day. The incident forced the building’s operations center to go into a “closed‑door” mode, with the interior of the structure cordoned off and all employees instructed to stay in their offices or to take shelter in their vehicles.

“We have no evidence of a bomb or explosive device,” an LAPD spokesperson said on the scene. “We are treating this as a potential security threat and are proceeding with the appropriate protocols.”

The driver—a 28‑year‑old male named Carlos Gonzales, according to the LAPD’s press release—was found to be in a dazed state. He was handcuffed and taken into custody at the corner of 1st Street and Main Street. While the driver was in police custody, investigators searched the vehicle and found no weapons or suspicious contraband.

No Injuries, But a City on Alert

The driver’s car—a 2018 Toyota Camry—was parked for the day after the incident. According to the LAPD, no one was injured during the event. City Hall’s security staff reported that the pedestrian walkway had been cleared of debris and that the building’s security cameras recorded the incident in full.

“Today we had to evacuate an entire floor because we had no way to verify the safety of the building,” said City Clerk Marissa Miller in a statement released later that evening. “We appreciate the professionalism of the LAPD and the cooperation of the community.”

The incident has prompted City Hall officials to review their security protocols. In a statement on the City of Los Angeles website, the mayor’s office said the city would be conducting a “comprehensive review” of security arrangements at all municipal buildings.

“The safety of our public spaces and the integrity of our municipal operations are paramount,” the statement read. “We are working with the LAPD and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Tactical Unit to assess whether additional measures are necessary.”

A Broader Context of Downtown Safety

This event comes at a time when downtown Los Angeles has been working to enhance its safety infrastructure. In recent months, the city has installed additional traffic barriers around key municipal sites and increased the presence of police officers during peak business hours.

The incident also follows an unrelated series of vehicle‑related incidents that occurred in the downtown area last week, when a truck collided with a city bus at the intersection of 3rd Street and Hill Street, resulting in minor injuries. The police have urged drivers to be mindful of pedestrian traffic in the vicinity of City Hall.

The LAPD’s Tactical Unit, known for its rapid response to potential threats in high‑profile public buildings, was on the scene within minutes of the first call. While the driver was taken into custody, officers remain on standby as the city continues to investigate whether the event was a random act of aggression or a calculated threat.

Legal Follow‑Up and Ongoing Investigation

Gonzales is currently awaiting arraignment. The LAPD has not yet released the specific charges, but early reports indicate that the driver may face charges of unlawful entry and disorderly conduct. If weapons were found, additional charges could be added. The city has requested that the LAPD conduct a forensic analysis of the vehicle’s interior and exterior to determine if any contraband was hidden in the car’s trunk or glove compartment.

City officials have stated that they are in the early stages of an investigation into whether the driver had any previous history of threats or violent behavior. The LAPD is reviewing surveillance footage from nearby traffic cameras to reconstruct the driver’s route prior to the incident.

“We are treating this as a serious security matter and will cooperate fully with the City’s investigations,” a LAPD spokesman told reporters. “We do not yet know what the driver’s motives were, but we will continue to gather evidence.”

A Call for Public Vigilance

In light of this event, city officials have issued a public appeal for residents to remain vigilant. “If you see anything suspicious, please report it immediately to the LAPD or to the City of Los Angeles Security Hotline at 1‑800‑222‑2222,” Mayor Karen Parker said in a brief radio interview. “Your cooperation helps keep our city safe.”

The City Hall building remains closed to the public until further notice, and all non‑essential visitors have been advised to contact the city office for information about future openings.

Follow‑up Resources

• [ Los Angeles Police Department: Statement on City Hall Incident ]
• [ City of Los Angeles: Security Measures at Municipal Buildings ]
• [ Mayor’s Office: Statement on Downtown Safety ]

While the exact motivations behind Carlos Gonzales’s sudden drive onto the sidewalk remain unclear, the incident serves as a stark reminder that even in a city known for its vibrant cultural scene and progressive governance, vigilance and preparedness are essential to ensuring the safety of public institutions and the people who rely on them.