Deputies open fire on LA pursuit driver

The chase started after a car was carjacked in East Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — A suspect in a stolen car who led Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies on a wild pursuit from East Los Angeles to the Pico-Union area was in critical condition Wednesday night after he was shot by deputies when the chase came to an end.

The suspect struck multiple vehicles — including several sheriff’s patrol units — during the high-speed pursuit. It began earlier in the afternoon after the suspect allegedly carjacked a sedan in East Los Angeles and sped onto the Long Beach (710) Freeway.

The roughly hour-long chase came to an end around 2:47 p.m. in the area of Vermont Avenue and Venice Boulevard in Los Angeles when the suspect crashed into an electricity pole, according to Lt. Patricia Thomas of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

With several patrol vehicles behind him and pinned against the pole, the suspect stepped on the gas pedal, backing into the patrol units and generating a large cloud of smoke, according to video footage from the scene.

Sheriff’s deputies then opened fire on the suspect, striking him multiple times and shattering the rear window of the sedan, ABC7 reported.

Prior to the shooting, the suspect raised one arm outside the window. After the shooting, the suspect was quickly pulled from the sedan and handcuffed.

Thomas said no weapon was recovered, but putting the car in reverse and striking a patrol car, she said, is “an assault with a deadly weapon” on a peace officer.

The suspect was taken to a hospital and was reported to be in critical condition, according to the sheriff’s department.

Thomas said no deputies were injured.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the shooting was urged to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or send tips to www.lacrimestoppers.org