A Los Angeles police pursuit ended with at least one officer opening fire and injuring a suspect in the Willowbrook area Wednesday.
The shooting occurred around 2:30 p.m. near the Central Avenue onramp to the eastbound Glenn Anderson (105) Freeway. The on- and off-ramps at Central were closed Wednesday afternoon while an investigation was conducted.
Los Angeles Police Department Detective Meghan Aguilar told reporters that officers spotted the vehicle Wednesday afternoon near 113th Street and Compton Avenue, and a check of the license plate indicated the owner was wanted in connection with an unspecified felony.
Officers began to follow the SUV, but the driver — realizing he was being followed — sped away, prompting a short pursuit, Aguilar said.
The driver wound up on the 105 Freeway onramp at Central Avenue, but after going about half-way up the ramp, the motorist turned around and ultimately came to a stop and tried to flee on foot.
During a short foot chase, the suspect allegedly reached into a backpack, prompting an officer — fearing the person might be retrieving a weapon — to open fire, striking the suspect, Aguilar said. The suspect was taken to a hospital, but the person’s condition was not immediately known.
Aguilar said officers retrieved the suspect’s backpack and determined there was no weapon inside.