Garden Grove Assault Turns Deadly: Cops

GARDEN GROVE, CA — One man was killed as he tried to flee Garden Grove police on Sunday, according to authorities. The suspect was shot, and a Garden Grove police officer sustained minor injuries during the exchange at an area motel, police say.

Officers were on foot patrol in the parking lot of the Grove Motel, on the 9800 block of Garden Grove Blvd. During a check of parked vehicles, a little after 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning, they spotted three people inside a white Honda Accord, Garden Grove police Lt. Carl Whitney reported.

"The officers tried to make contact with the occupants of the vehicle," Whitney said.

Police made initial contact with the individuals inside of the car when the driver began to speed away, aiming the vehicle toward the officers. One of the officers was struck by the car as it was trying to leave the scene, when the officer involved shooting ensued.

The driver was shot multiple times, according to Whitney, however the passengers in the vehicle were not injured.

"Paramedics rushed the driver to a trauma center where he passed away from his wounds," Garden Grove police Lt. Jeff Nightengale said. His name was withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The officer who suffered minor injuries was treated at a local hospital and released, Whitney said. No other injuries were reported to police.

"The passengers in the car are cooperating with detectives and were not arrested," Whitney noted.

The incident is under investigation by the Orange County District Attorney's office.

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