A shoplifting suspect who police fatally shot following a brief vehicle pursuit in El Monte was identified Wednesday.
The shooting occurred Monday night in the 11000 block of Tyler Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
When officers arrived, the suspect — identified by the Los Angeles County Coroner as 46-year-old Jose Moreno — drove away and officers pursued the vehicle a short distance, sheriff’s officials said.
El Monte Police Department officers responded to a report that a man was causing a disturbance and brandishing a gun at a Target store at 8:45 p.m. Monday in the 3600 block of Peck Road, near Sitka Street. He reportedly had been caught stealing merchandise with a woman and returned to the store later with the firearm, according to sheriff’s officials.
After a short chase, Moreno abandoned the car near a Chase bank location and ran away, detectives said. The officers followed him to the 11000 block of Tyler Avenue, where they opened fire and shot Moreno.
Moreno suffered several gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene despite receiving immediate medical aid, sheriff’s officials said, adding that officers recovered a semi-automatic handgun.
No officers were injured during the shooting. According to the sheriff’s department, the female suspect was detained after the pursuit, interviewed and released.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives are assisting the El Monte Police Department in the shooting investigation.
Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
The question is did he really have a firearm? Too many sketchy details dangling in the air