A police chase that started early Saturday morning ended in a fatal officer-involved shooting at Newport Beach Pier, according to the Santa Ana Police Department. The incident involved a suspect connected to a homicide case.
Police Chase Begins After Homicide Investigation Alert
The Santa Ana Police Department was called to assist another law enforcement agency around 6 a.m. Saturday. They were asked to help track down a person wanted in connection with a homicide. Officers soon located the suspect driving a car, but when they tried to approach, the driver fled, leading to a high-speed pursuit.
Chase Ends in Gunfire at Newport Beach Pier
The chase concluded at the end of Newport Beach Pier. According to Santa Ana police, an “officer-involved shooting occurred,” though they did not clarify who fired first—the suspect or the officers. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Firearm Recovered; No Officers Injured
Police confirmed that a firearm was found at the scene of the shooting. Fortunately, no officers were injured during the incident. Authorities have not released further details regarding the homicide investigation linked to the suspect.
Ongoing Investigation
As is standard with officer-involved shootings, an investigation is underway to determine the sequence of events and the circumstances leading up to the gunfire. Officials have yet to disclose more information about the suspect, the homicide case, or the specific details of the chase.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers involved in high-speed pursuits and officer-involved shootings. The Santa Ana Police Department, along with other agencies, will continue to investigate the case to provide more clarity on what led to the fatal encounter. Updates are expected as more information becomes available.