A felony suspect who was fatally shot by police after a short vehicle pursuit that began downtown and ended in a crash on an East Los Angeles freeway off-ramp was identified Thursday.
Jesus Ernesto Jaime, 30, died in the shooting that occurred around 10 a.m. Wednesday on the Olympic Boulevard off-ramp from the southbound Golden State (5) Freeway, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The pursuit began at 9:48 a.m. Wednesday in the area of Seventh Street and Towne Avenue, police said. Officers patrolling in the area spotted a newer-model BMW wanted in connection with an unspecified felony offense, according to the LAPD. They began following the vehicle onto the Golden State (5) Freeway while requesting additional units.
Police said the BMW driver accelerated in an attempt to evade officers, initiating the pursuit.
The suspect exited at Olympic Boulevard then abruptly made a U-turn on the ramp, colliding with an oncoming LAPD SUV, police said. Jaime got out of the car, ignored officer’s orders to surrender, then “removed a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and pointed it at an officer,” police said.
At least one officer opened fire, striking the suspect, who fell to the ground, according to police.
While Jaime was on the ground, a second suspect crawled out of the front passenger-side window of the BMW and fell to the ground. Officers moved in and took that person into custody, and he was then treated by waiting paramedics. His name was not released.
Jaime was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two officers who were in the SUV that was struck by the suspects’ vehicle were taken to a hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries and released, police said.
A 9mm semi-automatic Glock handgun loaded with 17 live rounds was recovered at the scene, and a loaded .357 Magnum Astra revolver was found inside the BMW, according to the LAPD.