Santa Ana police Thursday are continuing their investigation into an officer’s fatal shooting of a 18-year-old man in downtown Santa Ana.
Officers attempted to stop the suspect, who was driving at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, but he refused to do so, Santa Ana Police spokeswoman Natalie Garcia told City News Service.
The man was identified as 18-year-old Victor Lopez of Santa Ana, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Department.
A short pursuit ensued after the suspect drove way and ended when he drove into a parking garage at 450 Fourth St. The suspect then got out of his car with a handgun and after he refused commands to drop it, the officers shot him, Garcia said.
Paramedics from the Orange County Fire Authority pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.
A handgun was recovered at the scene, police said.
Garcia said a woman whom police believe was the suspect’s girlfriend and a 1-year-old baby were passengers in the vehicle and were not harmed.
“She is cooperating with the investigation,” Garcia said of the suspect’s girlfriend.