Newly released footage captures the intense pursuit of a 19-year-old carjacking suspect in East Los Angeles last month, which ended when deputies shot and killed the suspect after he rammed a patrol vehicle, endangered pedestrians, and collided with other motorists.
The incident unfolded on July 10, just before 2:30 p.m., when Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to reports of a carjacking in the 3800 block of Whittier Boulevard.
The suspect, later identified as Luis Flores, was quickly spotted driving a gray Toyota Camry southbound on McDonnell Avenue.
Deputies attempted a traffic stop, and Flores initially pulled over. However, as deputies exited their vehicle, Flores reversed, slammed into their patrol car, and sped away, prompting a pursuit.
Flores led deputies onto the 710 Freeway, but heavy traffic forced him to stop. Ignoring orders to exit the vehicle, Flores instead rammed into several motorists’ cars before fleeing once again.
The chase took a dangerous turn as Flores drove through the California State University, Los Angeles campus, where deputies observed him “reaching inside the car.” The pursuit then continued through downtown L.A., with Flores running red lights, driving through pedestrian crossings, and ramming more vehicles on Arcadia Street near North Spring Street.
About 20 minutes after the chase began, Flores attempted to bypass traffic by driving onto a sidewalk, where he crashed into a pole.
Deputies quickly boxed in the Camry with their patrol vehicles. Despite being cornered, Flores reversed the car, causing the tires to spin and send up smoke.
With his hand raised out of the window, but the gas pedal still floored with the tires spinning, Flores glanced back at the deputies, but the situation escalated further.
Footage shows deputies firing five rounds through the windshield, striking Flores. Deputies then removed him from the vehicle and attempted life-saving measures.
He was transported to the hospital by Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel but succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased on July 16.
Fortunately, no other injuries to civilians or deputies occurred during the incident.