Robbery suspect killed during shootout with police; 10 Freeway reopened after hours-long closure
Police fatally shot a robbery suspect who bailed out of a vehicle and ran across the 10 Freeway in the Monterey Park/City Terrace area Friday after a chase, prompting an hours-long full closure of the highway and causing extensive backups in both directions.
A police pursuit began Friday morning around 10:10 a.m., when Monterey Park Police officers attempted to stop a vehicle that matched a want for a March 14 robbery suspect and vehicle reported out of the LAPD Hollenbeck Division.
Lt. Michael Modica with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said during a Friday afternoon press conference that the suspect shot at officers during the pursuit while he was inside his car and continued to shoot rounds at Monterey Park officers when he jumped out and attempted to flee on foot.
It is unknown how many shots were fired by the suspect and the officers, but "we believe the suspect shot rounds at the officers during the initial pursuit," Modica said.
The incident ended around 10:15 a.m. near the Eastern Avenue overpass where the suspect's white BMW was found stopped in the roadway and a covered body could be seen lying on the pavement of the on-ramp. Lt. Modica said a semi-automatic handgun was found lying next to the suspect's body.
The suspect has not yet been identified.
One officer was injured during the incident after he fell during the foot pursuit. He only sustained minor injuries and did not require hospitalization.
Eastbound traffic on the 10 Freeway was diverted to City Terrace Drive; to the east of the incident, westbound traffic was diverted to the 710 Freeway while the busy roadway was closed.
All lanes were officially reopened as of 6:30 p.m., after nearly nine hours.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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