Customer charged with attempted murder, accused of driving SUV through CarMax dealership
Andrew Jesus Arroyo, 25, is currently being held without bond in a Los Angeles County correctional facility.
The customer who allegedly drove into a California CarMax over the weekend and injured an employee has been charged with attempted murder and a slew of other felony charges, court documents state.
In addition to attempted murder, 25-year-old Andrew Jesus Arroyo is being charged with nine counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in injury to another person and one count of vandalism by causing $400 or more in damage or destruction of property, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Paste BN.
A video of Arroyo allegedly backing an SUV into the CarMax building has been circulating online. In the video, employees are seen trying to get out of the way as the SUV turns around and drives through the other end of the building. Furniture and equipment can be seen scattered throughout the business as the driver seemingly exits the scene.
"We are profoundly shocked and heartbroken by the horrific act that occurred on Saturday, March 8, atour Inglewood, California store, when an individual drove through the showroom, injuring one CarMaxemployee and several customers," a CarMax spokesperson said in a statement.
According to the CarMax spokesperson, the lone employee wounded during the incident was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and later released. Several customers were also injured, but the spokesperson said the company did not have an update on their conditions as of Monday.
Luis Garcia of the Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed to Paste BN that eight people were injured due to the incident. Two of the individuals were in critical condition and six suffered minor injuries, he said on Monday afternoon.
What happened at the Inglewood CarMax?
According to the CarMax spokesperson, Arroyo did not allegedly back in the business in reaction to an appraisal offer. The employees who interacted with him that day said he did not complain about the offer and even spent time looking at the company's inventory for a potential purchase, the spokesperson added.
"Employees share that they observed his behavior turn suddenly erratic, but they did not perceive it to be related to the appraisal offer," the spokesperson told Paste BN. "We continue to review all information available to fully understand this incident. As you can imagine, this is a very sensitive and serious incident."
Arroyo's alleged actions led to one individual suffering paralysis and going into a coma due to a brain injury, according to the complaint. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, the company said.
"We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the broader Inglewood community for their outpouring ofsupport during this awful event," the spokesperson said.
Where is Andrew Jesus Arroyo now?
Arroyo, who was arrested by Inglewood police on Saturday, is currently being housed at a Los Angeles County correctional facility without bond, inmate records show.
State prosecutors recommended Arroyo be given a $1.3 million bail, according to the criminal complaint. He was arraigned on Tuesday and his next court hearing is scheduled for April 2, Los Angeles County court records show.
Arroyo does not have a defense attorney listed in county court records.
Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com.