Police Pursuit Ends With Suspect Fatally Shot

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A suspect reportedly wanted for reckless driving got out of his car on the 101 Freeway in Woodland Hills and apparently aimed a gun at officers, who fired back, killing the man.

According to Stu Mundel in Sky9, the suspect left the eastbound 101 after a brief chase on surface streets in Northridge. Police looked to attempt a PITT maneuver before the suspect made a U-turn and faced at least five patrol cars.

The incident occurred just before 10 p.m.

Amanda Burden, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, confirmed that the unidentified suspect was declared dead at the scene. She also said the suspect was 19-years old.

After boxing the suspect in on the driver's side, the man got out of the passenger side and gestured several times, as if he was pointing a weapon at police. The suspect fled and clearly ignored orders by police with guns drawn to stop.

He ran, in a zig-zag pattern, about 20 yards, turned again and seemed to fire at police when at least three officers appeared to take him down.

The running gun battle occurred on the 101 Freeway at Canoga Avenue.

Mundel reported that after the suspect began driving erratically, the man was in communication with a 911 dispatcher for much of the chase.

The freeway was closed in both directions while police investigated.

Traffic was backed-up for miles. About a half hour after the shooting occurred, traffic on the westbound lane was diverted and officials allowed drivers to exit at Canoga.

CHP officials said the freeway could be closed as long as six hours while police investigated.