Wanted man runs onto 210 Freeway, tries to carjack a vehicle, is shot by police – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Sylmar, California – Los Angeles police officers shot a wanted suspect on the westbound 210 Freeway Tuesday afternoon after he bolted from a narcotics enforcement operation and attempted to carjack a vehicle.[1][2] The confrontation unfolded near the Bledsoe Street overpass, shutting down lanes for nearly seven hours and snarling rush-hour traffic across the San Fernando Valley.[2] No bystanders or officers suffered injuries in the incident.
Narcotics Search Sparks Foot Chase
Around 1 p.m., officers from the LAPD’s Mission Division Narcotics Enforcement Detail arrived at the 14000 block of Bledsoe Street to track down a man wanted on felony warrants.[1][3] The approximately 25-year-old suspect, armed with a handgun, spotted the officers and fled on foot toward the nearby freeway.[1] A brief pursuit followed as he dashed down an embankment and entered the westbound lanes.
Once on the busy thoroughfare, the man approached a stopped vehicle – described in reports as a big rig or truck – and tried to take control of it.[3][2] LAPD Capt. Mike Bland later explained the peril: “He walked up to that vehicle armed with a handgun and attempted to carjack the uninvolved motorist.”[2] The motorist’s narrow escape heightened the stakes for responding officers.
Officers Open Fire Amid Refusal to Comply
Police quickly surrounded the suspect on the freeway and issued repeated commands to drop his weapon.[1] He ignored the orders, prompting at least one officer to fire shots. The bullets struck him in the arm, causing him to collapse near the discarded handgun.[2]
Even wounded, the man refused to follow instructions. Officers then fired a 40-millimeter less-lethal launcher, which propelled hard foam projectiles to gain compliance.[1][3] He finally surrendered, allowing handcuffing and transport to a hospital for treatment. Medical staff cleared him for booking shortly after, with the firearm recovered for forensic testing.[2]
Hours-Long Closure Cripples Valley Commute
The westbound 210 shut down at Polk Street immediately after the shooting, with the California Highway Patrol issuing a Sigalert around 2:15 p.m.[2] Traffic diverted to surface streets like Maclay, but backups stretched miles – reaching La Tuna Canyon and Sun Valley, while alternate routes such as the 170 and 5 freeways clogged.[2]
Traffic Impact Highlights:
- Westbound closure from Polk Street to 118 Freeway transition.
- Bumper-to-bumper delays up to five miles long.
- Rush-hour snarl affecting San Fernando Valley commuters.
- Full reopening around 9 p.m., nearly seven hours later.
Aerial footage captured the standstill, with a visible handgun on the asphalt underscoring the scene’s intensity. Nearby resident Jose Olmos peered from a fence and recalled seeing the weapon before paramedics loaded the suspect into an ambulance.[2]
Investigation Probes Officer-Involved Shooting
The LAPD emphasized the ongoing probe in a statement: “We are still in the early stages of this investigation as there are still multiple witnesses to interview, to include the officers involved, as well as video to review and evidence to examine.”[3] A public information officer detailed the foot chase and carjacking bid, confirming the suspect’s armament.[2]
Authorities expect charges against the suspect, who faces a lengthy list tied to his warrants and the freeway actions. The episode highlights risks in high-speed pursuits spilling onto major arteries, but officers contained the threat without broader harm. Lanes have since reopened, restoring flow on one of the region’s vital routes.
