Suspect killed in police shooting on Newport Beach Pier, authorities say

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A man suspected of killing a female acquaintance in Menifee was shot to death by police on the Newport Beach Pier Saturday after a vehicle chase, authorities said.

The Menifee Police Department said officers responded to a report of gunshots in the 25000 block of Mesa Edge Court at approximately 2:43 a.m. Saturday. They found the deceased body of a woman later identified as 38-year-old Storm Wolf of Temecula unresponsive in a silver pickup truck, which was stopped in the street.

Officers suspected she was the victim of a homicide, and the case was subsequently taken over by detectives.

Jose Velasquez, a 45-year-old acquaintance of Wolf's from Menifee, was identified as the primary suspect in her death, the department said, adding that Velasquez fled the scene before officers arrived.

"Following investigative leads, authorities determined that Velasquez may have traveled to Santa Ana. The Santa Ana Police Department was contacted for assistance in locating him and his vehicle," Menifee police said in a statement.

Santa Ana police officers found the suspect in a vehicle and attempted to apprehend him, and a pursuit ensued, authorities said.

The suspect made his way to Newport Beach and drove on the pier, making his way to the end. Video obtained by Eyewitness News shows the police units trailing behind the suspect's vehicle.

Visitors were seen running away while others got down on the ground and hid. You can hear several gunshots in the video. Police said the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

Rajon Robinson was one of the many witnesses who saw the incident unfold. He was at the pier with his father, brother, young son and nephew on their annual fishing trip.

He said there wasn't a panic at first, but then police vehicles began whizzing by.

"Next thing you know, a helicopter is hovering above and we hear sirens," he said. "Then we see a car driving up on the pier. We've never seen a car drive up on the pier before as we're fishing."

"They drove all the way to the end of the pier," he continued. "The man was driving pretty calmly as well. It was like he didn't have any intention to hurt anybody that was on the pier."

Robinson said he and his father immediately shielded the children first when he heard gunshots.

"We heard a multitude of shots being fired so I had to shield and protect my son, my dad had to shield and protect my nephew just to make sure everybody was OK," he said. "I'm kind of traumatized by it .. we're all traumatized and devastated."

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

"We recognize that multiple citizens were on the pier and may have witnessed the incident," the Santa Ana Police Department posted on social media Saturday afternoon. "Any witnesses are asked to call the Orange County District Attorney's Office at 714-664-3964."

City News Service contributed to this report.