Armed suspect shot after California freeway chase, standoff

CALABASAS, Calif. – Authorities say an armed suspect who led officers on a high-speed chase was fatally shot during a standoff on a busy Southern California freeway.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Eric Buschow said deputies who were investigating a domestic violence call in Moorpark chased the suspect when he took off in a stolen car.

The pursuit ended on U.S. 101 in Calabasas when the vehicle crashed into a guardrail.

A passenger in a car that was stopped while police confronted the suspect said she heard two gunshots. Lacy Butler said the situation was “very scary,” and witnesses ducked in their vehicles to avoid being in the crossfire.

Authorities said the man died at the scene.

Both sides of the freeway were shut for several hours, causing a major traffic backup.