Tujunga Barricade: Investigation Underway Into Suspect's Shooting Death By Police

TUJUNGA, CA — Police Tuesday were investigating the fatal officer- involved shooting death of a suspected prowler who holed up in a Tujunga home, at one point firing shots that prompted police to open fire.

Police received a "hot prowler" call from a woman who lives in the house in the 11300 block of Alethea Drive at 8:57 a.m. Monday, said Officer Aareon Jefferson of the LAPD's Media Relations Division.

The resident escaped the home through a back window, and when officers arrived, the man refused to come out.

The woman who called police said several guns were inside her home, and around 1:30 p.m. shots were fired by the suspect, but it was unclear if he was shooting at officers, none of whom were struck, according to the LAPD.

Police evacuated surrounding residences and about 2:45 p.m., after tear gas was fired into the home, the suspect fled out the back of the residence and tumbled down a ravine.

LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar said the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Citing an ongoing investigation, she declined to comment when asked if the man was armed when he was shot outside of the home, CBS2 reported.

The unidentified suspect had ignored bullhorn calls to surrender and turned off a cell phone that officers dialed in hopes of making contact with him, police said.

At one point, a police helicopter with SWAT snipers positioned on its skids could be seen hovering above the home.

A witness told NBC4 she saw the man acting strangely and said he was waving his arms and talking to himself before he entered the home.

— City News Service, photo via Shutterstock