A high-speed police pursuit that started Monday in downtown Los Angeles turned into a wild chase that involved four separate crashes, an armed carjacking, and the suspect being shot by officers on live television.
Responding to a report of a stolen car around 5 p.m., officers chased the suspect, who was initially driving a Toyota Camry, through city streets. At times, he drove the wrong way into oncoming traffic, resulting in several crashes and narrow escapes.
The first two crashes occurred in downtown Los Angeles, where the suspect sped into an intersection and slammed into oncoming cars.
Moments later, the suspect was struck again in an intersection in the city of South Gate, causing flames to shoot out of the vehicle.
Despite the crashes, the suspect continued to flee police, until a near head-on collision that rendered the car immobile.
The suspect then jumped out of the vehicle, pulled out a weapon and carjacked a woman at the scene, fleeing in her vehicle.
A gun could be seen from news helicopters circling the scene.
Suspect pointing gun at woman. #LAPursuit @myfoxla
The gunman then led police on a pursuit across the city into Montebello where his vehicle eventually became wedged in traffic. He quickly exited the car and attempted to carjack two more vehicles, which sped away.
Police officers, who were in pursuit on foot behind him, then opened fire on the suspect, causing him to hit the ground.
Officers quickly surrounded the man and placed him under arrest.
Paramedics were brought to the scene where the suspect was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a hospital.
#LAPD #pursuit ended in Montebello, #OIS no #officers were injured.
On Tuesday, the LAPD identified the suspect as 29-year-old Aaron Lorta, who they described as a gang member.
LAPD Officer Liliana Preciado told the Associated Press that Lorta was in stable condition at a hospital, where he had been interviewed by detectives.
Lorta, who could face multiple charges, including carjacking, remains in custody.