Man suspected of killing pregnant estranged wife dies in Montebello officer-involved shooting
MONTEBELLO, Calif. (KABC) -- A man suspected of killing his estranged wife, who was eight weeks pregnant, was shot and killed in an officer-involved shooting in Montebello Friday.
Around 2:40 p.m., Montebello police officers were involved in a shooting with a male suspect in the 2900 block of West Via Corona. He was shot and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Authorities identified the suspect as 26-year-old Christopher Diaz.Diaz was suspected of killing 28-year-old Roxann Acosta after confronting her in an apartment in the 12000 block of West Victoria Avenue on Aug. 6.
Authorities had been looking for Diaz. Witnesses of the shooting said police in two SUVs were following a vehicle that Diaz was in. Police said the vehicle was being driven by a woman and that Diaz was the passenger.
Richard, a witness to the scene, said Diaz ran from the vehicle after he discovered he was being followed.
"They were right on his tail. You know it was him and another one and another one right behind him. They hit their lights, sirens, and as soon as he turned a little bit and was going to go up the driveway whoever was driving stopped and he got out and took off," he said.
Other witnesses said they heard about six gunshots.
Authorities said Diaz had fled into the backyard of a home in the area and when officers surrounded him, he pointed a semi-automatic handgun at them and fired, resulting in the police shooting.
No officers were injured, and authorities said Diaz was in possession of two handguns.
During a vigil earlier this month, family members said Acosta had filed for divorce from Diaz. They also said she was eight weeks pregnant with another man's baby when she was killed. Acosta had three other children, who were not fathered by Diaz.
Authorities had put out a special bulletin in the search for Diaz, who they said was a known gang member. It was unclear if his whereabouts were discovered by a tip or through detective work.
The L.A. County Sheriff's Department is assisting in the officer-involved shooting investigation.
