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Man Shot Dead by LAPD in Van Nuys After Reportedly Firing at Police 5 Times During Chase

No officers are injured in the incident.

An investigation was under way Thursday into a shooting in which Los Angeles police officers killed a man in Van Nuys at the end of a pursuit.

No officers were injured in the shooting, which occurred at the intersection of Vanowen Street and Orion Avenue around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday. The 22-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man, who had an extensive criminal history, fired at officers at five locations during the pursuit, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. His name was withheld pending notification of his relatives.

A woman who was in the vehicle—26-year-old Vanessa Acosta—suffered minor injuries when it crashed, said LAPD Officer Bruce Borihanh. It was unclear what charges, if any, she would face. Police said earlier that the woman was wounded, but it was later determined that was not the case.

The brief chase that preceded the officer-involved shooting began in the Mission Division's patrol area.

Borihanh said officers had tried to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle kept going. During the chase, shots were fired from the vehicle at officers, Borihanh said.

Officers used their patrol car to force the suspects' vehicle to stop, causing it to crash. The gunman then got out and was fatally shot by police, Borihanh said. A handgun with an extended-capacity magazine was recovered at the scene, he said.

The woman was combative with police and firefighters as she was taken into custody, according to video broadcast from the scene. She was transported by paramedics for hospital treatment.

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A. Abrams May 19, 2013 at 06:05 pm
As a parent who spent over 12 hours on site volunteering at CHAMPSFEST, I must say that CHAMPSRead More Parent's assessment above of the circumstances is exactly correct.
CHAMPS Parent May 19, 2013 at 05:43 pm
Dear Hollietiger, CHAMPSFEST2013 was an awesome experience for my child. She was there all day andRead More had the best time. When I dropped her off I saw a slew of security personnel checking bags and wanding. She told me security was there immediately and a medic on hand. Her friend is fine and is going to school Monday morning. The hammer was from a vendor. The kid could have grabbed one of the stakes from a tent or a chair. Things happen, but I trust that the school and the administrators did the right thing. It's very counter productive and irresponsible to write things when you don't know the facts. I will support and trust CHAMPS and my daughter is already looking forward to next years CHAMPSFEST.
Evan Sanford May 19, 2013 at 05:02 pm
First of all, I don't know where your child got his information but he is quite uninformed. HeRead More obviously was believing all the rumors spreading at then end of the event. The victim's skull WAS NOT "cracked open and ... bleeding everywhere." CHAMPSFEST 2013 was a public event, therefore open to the PUBLIC. CHAMPS (the school) has no control of mental competency of attendants from other schools. Security was there in droves to protect the entire venue. As far as nothing being reported that is also FALSE. The kid was NOT taken away in handcuffs. Police were there and it is confidential information that was not released to the general population and is not a matter of public record. Second of all, the resources provided by the city were there as a backup (you mentioned "2 ambulances, police fire trucks... Not really sure what police fire trucks are but that's besides the point). We wanted to make sure that in this case of emergency all bases were covered and the safety of the victim was going to be treated properly. Next time you hear about an incident, I would consider the reputation of the people who worked so hard to put on the event and let them handle the situation before posting incorrect information to the entire community.
Jack McGrath May 8, 2013 at 03:38 am
Are there any Wendy Greuel supporters who disagree with me? In Studio City a few do not like myRead More support for Eric Garcetti. Let's hear it for Wendy- I can't hear you?