LAPD pursuit of stolen vehicle suspect ends in officer-involved shooting

MONTEBELLO, Calif. -- A gunman driving a suspected stolen car was shot by police after trying to flee on foot and carjack at least two motorists on the 60 Freeway in Montebello Monday.

The suspect was taken to a local hospital by ambulance. His condition remains unknown, but he is expected to survive.

The pursuit began in Boyle Heights around 5 p.m. after officers received reports of a possible stolen gray Toyota Camry.

The suspect led LAPD officers on a chase across surface streets in downtown Los Angeles, South Gate and Willowbrook, hitting at least four vehicles before crashing his vehicle and carjacking a woman at gunpoint near Imperial Highway in South Gate.

The carjacking victim was later identified as 22-year-old Elizabeth Yarahuan.

"He just came up to me and pointed the gun at me and told me to get out of my car, and he just took off with it," Yarahuan said. "He was pointing the gun at me so I just got off the car and ran. I was just scared he was going to hurt me."

Maggie Barroso witnessed the carjacking as it unfolded in front of her.

"He tried to carjack the car in front of her. He couldn't open [the door] so the driver just took off, and then after I saw him running to her car. He did the same thing and he was just pointing [the gun] right at her," Barroso said. "And then, you know, after when everything happened I saw her, she was completely shaken up, and the least I can do is come and assist her."

Officers followed the suspect, who drove on the wrong side of the road several times, on the 710 and 60 freeways while helicopters followed him overhead.

The pursuit ended near the Findlay Avenue off-ramp after the suspect became wedged in traffic. He then tried to flee on foot and carjack another motorist before officers opened fire at about 6 p.m. The suspect was quickly surrounded by officers. A large semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene.

The investigation is being led by the Los Angeles Police Department.

PHOTOS: Stolen vehicle suspect leads police on wild car chase