Armed Pursuit Suspect Shot, Killed After North OC Crash

WESTMINSTER, CA — Police shot and killed a suspect following a car chase from Santa Ana to Westminster early Monday morning, according to officials.

The fleeing man crashed into another vehicle, then exited the smashed car while holding a gun, Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

The pursuit began about 10 p.m. in Santa Ana at First and Jackson streets. Officers attempted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation but the suspect fled.

The suspect threw one gun out of the vehicle at First and Newhope streets, Bertagna said. He continued into Westminster where First Street becomes Bolsa Avenue. There he crashed first at Bolsa Avenue and Magnolia Street and then head-on into a vehicle at Bolsa Avenue and Valencia Place, police said.

"He continues to flee with a second gun and an officer-involved shooting occurs," Bertagna said. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, he said.

There were no apparent injuries in the first crash and two people in the head-on crash were hospitalized were in stable condition, according to Bertagna.

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