Police shoot, kill suspect after chase ends in Pasadena; earlier crash leaves deputy hospitalized
PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Police shot and killed a suspected carjacker who drove toward officers after a chase ended early Saturday morning in a Pasadena parking lot, authorities said.
The pursuit came to an end shortly before 2:30 a.m. at a strip mall near the intersection of Lake Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard. A standoff ensued.
"There's a ton of cops, a white van," said D.A. Ross, who was inside a 7-Eleven when the vehicles pulled into the parking lot. "Look over to the white van and we see this guy -- he's got a freakin' handgun in his hand and it looks like he's pointing it at his head."
A woman who witnessed the confrontation said she saw the suspect making the sign of the cross. Officers shouted at the suspect, ordering him to drop the weapon.
News video from the confrontation shows multiple officers, some armed with rifles, unleashing a barrage fire on the minivan as it slowly moves toward their position.
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Police approached the vehicle after the shooting. At least two of the minivan's side windows were shattered, and apparent bullet holes were visible in the windshield.
The driver was not immediately identified after being pronounced dead at the scene. None of the officers were injured.
Investigators said the incident was possibly related to an earlier police chase in Rosemead that resulted in a crash involving a Los Angeles County sheriff's patrol vehicle.
After the Sheriff's Department SUV and a innocent motorist's vehicle collided in the crash, an LASD deputy was transported to a hospital in stable condition. A person in the civilian vehicle suffered minor injuries.
News video from the crash site showed the front end of the patrol vehicle severely mangled.
