Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, Suspect Accused of Mowing Down 25 LA Sheriff’s Recruits on Morning Run, Released From Jail

The 22-year-old man who was arrested for allegedly mowing down dozens of Los Angeles sheriff’s recruits deliberately with his SUV, leaving several critically injured, has been released from jail to allow police to gather more evidence.

Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, who was charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, was released at 9:49 p.m. Thursday, according to jail records that cited an insufficient complaint, CNN reported.

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The suspect’s initial arrest has been deemed a detention, according to the LA Times.

Jail records reportedly cited a California penal code that authorizes police to release people from custody without first being arraigned if there are insufficient grounds to issue a criminal complaint.

The case was expected to be presented to the DA’s office on Friday, but LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told NewsNation that the suspect would be “provisionally” released as investigators worked to build a stronger case.

“Right now, we want to tie up all the loose ends on the case and then present it to the DA,” he told the cable channel, adding that investigators had “developed probable cause to believe it was intentional.”

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At least 25 recruits were injured in the horrific incident Wednesday — five critically — and some lost limbs, according to the sheriff’s office.

“There were so many bodies scattered everywhere in different states of injury that it was pretty traumatic for all individuals involved,” Villanueva said earlier.

Some of the victims reported that Gutierrez may have sped up in the Honda CRV right before impact near the sheriff’s STARS Center Academy.

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The suspect took a sobriety test and had no alcohol in his system, officials said.

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