Suspect dead after chase, 4-hour standoff on Southern California freeway

The suspect is useless after a pursuit and an almost four-hour standoff that pressured a whole closure of the 91 Freeway in Orange County on Friday.

The pursuit started round 8 a.m. in Corona, the place, in line with police, officers tried to cease the driving force within the space of McKinley Avenue and Griffin Approach in reference to a home stalking case.

Police mentioned the person sped away in a blue sedan and drove onto the 91 Freeway earlier than coming to a cease for unknown causes close to Lakeview Avenue.

The suspect, believed to be armed, refused to exit the car, prompting legislation enforcement to shut each instructions of the freeway. Westbound lanes have been blocked at Imperial Freeway, whereas eastbound lanes have been closed at Lakeview Avenue, in line with CalTrans.

Armed police automobiles are seen boxing in a standoff suspect on the 91 Freeway in Orange County on Could 24, 2024. (KTLA)

The standoff precipitated large site visitors jams, with vehicles backed up for miles in each instructions.

Authorities allowed some automobiles to show round on the freeway and drive on the incorrect facet of the street to the closest exit. Two close by colleges, Crescent Elementary and Crescent Major, have been locked down as a precaution.

In accordance with Corona Police Corporal Tobias Kouroubacalis, police communicated with the person by way of telephone name in the course of the standoff. He mentioned the division was in “no hurry to make bodily contact” and that officers would solely transfer in on him if there was an energetic menace.

At about 12 p.m., KTLA’s Chip Yost reported that he heard a “pop” from close by, however he wasn’t positive precisely what the sound was. Shortly after, KTLA’s Mike Case from aboard Sky5 reported that he noticed the person “slumped” within the automotive and noticed blood.

Freeway standoff suspect
Authorities pulled a standoff suspect out of his car on the 91 Freeway in Orange County on Could 24, 2024. (KTLA)

Shortly after 12 p.m., authorities pulled the person, who gave the impression to be useless, out of the automotive. His explanation for dying was not instantly confirmed, however police mentioned it was not a results of legislation enforcement motion.

Caltrans mentioned the eastbound lanes of the 91 Freeway have been reopened at 12:45 p.m. The westbound lanes remained closed into the afternoon, and site visitors was diverted onto Imperial Freeway. All lanes have been reopened by 4 p.m.