Banning Man Identified As Suspect Fatally Shot During Police Pursuit
SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — A 23-year-old man that was fatally shot during a police pursuit was identified on Sunday.
According to the San Bernardino Police Department, a Scion XB reported stolen in the city of Banning on Saturday was tracked through GPS to a location near Barton Street in San Bernardino.
When officers arrived to the area, they saw the car traveling northbound on Barton Street from Basline. Officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, but the driver — later identified as Jonathan Larry Harden, of Banning — attempted to escape the officers, which began a pursuit.
According to police, Harden drove in a reckless manner through city streets, and onto the freeways. At times, he reached speeds up to 100 miles per hour, and paid no attention to traffic signals and other drivers on the roadway.
Officers went on to explain Harden exited the freeway at University Avenue, and failed to stop for a red light at the bottom of the off-ramp. He then collided with another vehicle in the intersection, and escaped arrest by driving back onto the northbound 215 freeway.
When Harden attempted to hit a police vehicle, officers used a pit maneuver, which forced the stolen vehicle to spin around and come to a stop facing oncoming traffic.
Harden was fatally shot after his vehicle collided with the front of an officer's car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
It remains unclear what prompted the officer-involved shooting to occur. No other injuries were reported.
Police said several witnesses videotaped the incident on cell phones.
Anyone who may have recording this incident, or anyone with information regarding this crime, is urged to contact detectives at (909) 384-5628.