LOS ANGELES, CA – A high-stakes police chase through the streets of Los Angeles culminated in a dramatic shootout on Thursday afternoon, leaving two individuals hospitalized. The incident unfolded when police pursued a suspect alleged to have committed domestic violence, who then reportedly fired multiple shots at officers.
Residents of the West Adams neighborhood were startled by the sound of gunfire, as the chase ended near their homes. Jenny Kimball, a local resident, described the chaos that erupted outside her apartment complex. “It was like a scene from a movie,” she said, recounting how the suspect exited his vehicle and raised his arms before the exchange of gunfire.
According to police reports, the suspect brandished two guns, one in each hand, and opened fire on the pursuing officers. Responding to the threat, officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The suspect’s parents, who live in the building, declined to comment on the situation.
The chase began earlier in the day following a 911 call reporting that a female bus driver was being followed by a white Maserati. The caller noted that the suspect was armed, prompting the Los Angeles Police Department to initiate a vehicle stop. However, the suspect fled, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit through the city.
The chase took a dangerous turn as the suspect drove onto sidewalks and against traffic, narrowly missing pedestrians and cyclists. The pursuit continued through South La Brea, with a large truck forced onto the shoulder to avoid collision.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with news and police helicopters overhead. One resident noted the overwhelming noise, saying, “It was unlike anything I’ve ever heard before.”
As the chase concluded, a bystander was inadvertently injured. A woman was shot in the arm during the exchange of gunfire, police confirmed. Her condition remains stable, and she is expected to recover.
When asked about the use of force, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated that non-lethal options were not viable given the circumstances. “When an officer is confronted with a deadly weapon, the response must be appropriate to the threat,” he explained.
The suspect, a 37-year-old man, remains in the hospital recovering from his injuries. The LAPD continues to investigate the incident, seeking to piece together the events that led to the violent confrontation.