Suspect killed in Fullerton CHP officer-involved shooting identified

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Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Authorities investigated the scene in Fullerton after a driver being followed by CHP officers drove toward them, resulting in an officer-involved shooting.
Authorities investigated the scene in Fullerton after a driver being followed by CHP officers drove toward them, resulting in an officer-involved shooting.
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FULLERTON, Calif. (KABC) -- The 19-year-old man killed during an undercover California Highway Patrol street-racing task force operation in Fullerton has been identified.

Pedro Erik Villanueva was shot and killed Sunday night after authorities said he drove a truck toward CHP officers when they tried to conduct a traffic stop during the operation.

Authorities said officers began following Villanueva and an unidentified passenger from Los Angeles and eventually headed into a residential area in Fullerton. When officers tried to stop the truck, the driver failed to do so.

The officers feared for their safety and opened fire on the truck, killing Villanueva and hitting the 18-year-old male passenger in the arm, according to police.

Authorities took the passenger to the hospital and he was later released pending a further investigation.

Multiple agencies were handling the investigation.