Wild police pursuit through L.A. ends in gunfire

LOS ANGELES -- An armed man fleeing police led them on a wild rush-hour pursuit through downtown streets and area freeways Monday, crashing into multiple cars and carjacking another vehicle before being taken into custody.

The suspect was shot by law enforcement officers when he leaped out of his car and fled on foot in Montebello, southeast of the city, according to multiple reports. He appeared to be seeking another car to commandeer when he was brought down.

KCBS-TV reported that officers opened fire as the suspect tried to carjack a second motorist. The suspect's condition was not immediately known, and he was seen being loaded onto an ambulance.

Most of the pursuit was aired live on local TV news stations from helicopter-mounted video cameras. Helicopter shots of car chases are somewhat routine on Los Angeles TV news, but few involve such mayhem.

The driver was seen on TV striking at least five other vehicles, at least three of them severely.

After a crash left his car smoking heavily from front-end damage, TV video captured the man taking what appeared to be a gun from under his shirt and ordering a woman from her car, then driving off in it. The woman fled on foot.

The pursuit began west of downtown Los Angeles around 5 p.m., the Los Angeles Times reported, and ended about 45 minutes later. The driver passed through several small cities that surround Los Angeles, often driving against traffic, and caused massive backups on major freeways during the evening commute.

The suspect was alive when he was transported to a hospital where his condition is unknown, Montebello Police Chief Kevin McClure told the Times. The suspect's identity was not released.