High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Fatal Shooting in Anaheim
A man was shot and killed by Anaheim police following a dramatic high-speed chase late Wednesday evening, which culminated in a crash on a bridge over the Santa Ana River. This incident began shortly after 7:45 p.m. when officers responded to a report of a shooting at a motel situated in the 300 block of North Brookhurst Street, according to police spokesperson Sgt. Matt Sutter.
Details of the Incident
- The victim of the motel shooting was a man who was subsequently taken to a hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
- The suspected shooter fled the scene, prompting police to initiate a pursuit.
- During the chase, the suspect drove erratically, disregarding traffic signals, colliding with other vehicles, and weaving through congested traffic despite losing a tire.
- Video evidence captured by a KTLA News helicopter highlighted the chaos of the pursuit, which involved the suspect driving both on the 91 Freeway and surface streets.
Chase Conclusion
After approximately an hour of pursuit spanning roughly eight miles from the motel to the area near West Memory Lane and North Bristol Street, police executed a precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver) to stop the suspect’s vehicle on a bridge over the Santa Ana River.
The PIT maneuver successfully forced the white pickup truck into a guardrail, which then rebounded into the roadway, coming to a stop against a bridge divider. As smoke emanated from the vehicle, officers quickly surrounded it. At 8:38 p.m., they opened fire, resulting in the driver being pronounced dead at the scene.
Aftermath and Additional Information
A passenger in the vehicle chose to surrender to the police without incident and was subsequently taken into custody. As of now, the identities of both the suspect and the victim from the initial motel shooting have not been disclosed.
This situation raises questions and highlights ongoing discussions about police engagement in high-speed chases, especially those that result in tragic outcomes.
For more details, follow ongoing coverage by local news agencies.