Anaheim, Calif. — A man was shot and killed by police Wednesday night following a long and perilous chase that culminated in a dramatic crash on a local bridge, officials reported. The incident initiated with a reported shooting incident at a motel in Anaheim, setting off a frantic police pursuit through the city streets.
The sequence began shortly after 7:45 p.m. when Anaheim police were dispatched to the scene of a shooting at a motel located on the 300 block of North Brookhurst Street. There, officers found a man wounded, who was subsequently transported to a hospital and reported in stable condition.
Identified as the alleged shooter, the suspect hastily fled the scene in a white pickup truck, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. The pursuit, captured on bystander video footage, showed the suspect driving recklessly—engaging in unsafe maneuvers across multiple roadways, impacting other vehicles, and eventually losing a tire.
The chase continued onto the 91 Freeway, with the suspect then veering onto surface streets. Police attempts to intercept and stop the speeding vehicle were initially futile. After nearly an hour of pursuit, officers finally managed to execute a precision immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, on a bridge over the Santa Ana River.
This maneuver caused the suspect’s vehicle to hit a guardrail and bounce back onto the roadway, where it collided with a bridge divider and came to a smoking halt. Reports indicated that at approximately 8:38 p.m., with the vehicle immobilized, police approached and subsequently opened fire, resulting in the driver’s death at the scene.
A passenger in the truck surrendered without resistance and was taken into custody by the police. Identifications of both the deceased suspect and the earlier shooting victim had not been disclosed immediately following the event.
This incident adds to ongoing discussions around police pursuits and the protocols used in such high-stress situations. Police officials indicated that the maneuvers used were in accordance with their pursuit policy, intended to prevent further risk to public safety caused by the erratic driving of the suspect.
Local authorities are conducting a thorough investigation of both the initial motel shooting and the subsequent chase and shooting. This includes reviewing all video evidence and eyewitness accounts to ensure all actions taken align with legal and procedural standards.
The community’s reaction has been mixed, with some expressing concern over the fatal outcome and others relieved that the potentially dangerous pursuit was brought to a swift conclusion. Community leaders are calling for a transparent investigation to ensure accountability and to foster community trust in the city’s law enforcement practices.