WB 210 Fwy in Sylmar reopens nearly 7 hours after LAPD shot armed suspect, sparking traffic delay

SYLMAR, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- All westbound lanes of the 210 Freeway in Sylmar were fully reopened nearly seven hours after police shot an armed man accused of trying to carjack a driver on the freeway on Tuesday afternoon.

The closure was on the westbound 210 Freeway at the Polk Street overpass. All traffic was diverted off the freeway, causing significant delays.

California Highway Patrol first issued the Sigalert around 2:15 p.m., and the westbound lanes fully reopened shortly after 9 p.m.

According to Los Angeles police, officers with the Narcotics Enforcement Detail were searching for a known suspect with multiple warrants in the 14000 block of Bledsoe Street around 1 p.m.

When officers spotted the suspect, he fled on foot and made his way down to the 210 Freeway, LAPD said. That's when he reportedly tried to carjack a driver in the westbound lanes.

"I just know there is a vehicle down there. He walked up to that vehicle armed with a handgun and attempted to carjack the uninvolved motorist," Capt. Mike Bland said.

Officers surrounded the suspect and gave him commands to drop the handgun, but he reportedly refused, and that's when at least one officer fired shots.

The suspect was reportedly shot in the arm and fell to the ground close to his gun. LAPD said he then continued to refuse to comply.

Officers then deployed a 40mm less-lethal launcher, and the suspect complied and was taken into custody.

AIR7 video shows officers placing the man in handcuffs and then loading him into an ambulance. His handgun was seen lying on the ground.

LAPD said the suspect was treated and released from the hospital and is now under arrest, facing a long list of charges.

No officers or drivers on the freeway were hurt. The handgun was collected at the scene.

The westbound lanes of the freeway were shut down for hours due to the police investigation, causing a major traffic impact for drivers on their evening commutes.

AIR7 flew above the scene throughout the afternoon, where bumper-to-bumper traffic extended from La Tuna Canyon near Sun Valley all the way into the San Fernando Valley. At times, the traffic backup stretched upwards of five miles.

The 170 Freeway and 5 Freeway were both also backed up as drivers sought alternate routes.

Nearby residents said they were surprised by the chaotic scene.

"I went close to the chainlink, and then I see the gun on the freeway. But they were talking to the guy and put him inside the patrol," said neighbor Jose Olmos.