Police Shoot And Kill Stolen Car Suspect In Van Nuys

VAN NUYS, CA — A man in a possibly stolen car being pursued by police was fatally wounded late Wednesday afternoon in an officer-involved shooting in Van Nuys after someone in the vehicle opened fire on a marked cruiser.

No officers were injured in the shooting, which was reported just after 4 p.m. near the intersection of Sherman Way and Kester Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The wounded man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, while the two women who were in the gray-colored car with him were taken into custody, according to LAPD Officer Tony Im.

The gunfire erupted when a gang unit from the LAPD's Van Nuys Station began following the car, which officers believed was stolen, as it was driven eastbound on Sherman Way from Sepulveda Boulevard, Im said.

Someone inside the car opened fire on the police vehicle, prompting the officers inside to call for backup, Im said.

They continued following the car until it crashed into a light pole a short distance away at the southwest intersection of Sherman Way and Kester Avenue, he said.

The suspect exited the vehicle and an officer-involved shooting occurred, Im said, adding that two handguns were recovered.

The area was closed to traffic as police investigated.

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City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock