Man Shot, Killed in Van Nuys Opened Fire on Officers During Pursuit: LAPD

Shots were fired at officers during a San Fernando Valley pursuit late Wednesday that ended with a crash and fatal shooting in Van Nuys, according to police.

Two people were in the car at the time of the chase, during which rounds were fired at pursuing officers, according to the LAPD. Police shot and killed a man at the end of the pursuit, and a woman in the vehicle was taken into custody, according to police.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The pursuit began at about 9:40 p.m. after officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop about a mile from the crash site. Officers witnessed the driver commit several traffic violations, according to the LAPD.

"They refused to pull over and immediately started shooting at the officers," said LAPD Sgt. Rudy Lopez. "There were about five locations at which they were shooting at officers during the pursuit."

There was no evidence to suggest officers returned fire during the five-minute pursuit, Lopez said.

"It's very fortunate that no one was hit by gunfire during the pursuit," said Lopez. "No officers and no citizens were hit."

Officers used a pursuit intervention technique -- a PIT maneuver -- to spin the vehicle, which jumped a curb and struck a tree. Officers reported they believe shots were fired at them after the crash, Lopez said.

The situation prompted the LAPD to go on a modified tactical alert as it dispatched officers from around the San Fernando Valley to the site. More than a dozen squad cars and uniformed officers lined the streets near Vanowen Street and Firmament Avenue.

A handgun was recovered at the scene, Lopez said.

"It's just an example of how dangerous our jobs can be," said Lopez.

The female in the vehicle was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Lopez said. She suffered a gunshot wound to the arm.

Vanowen Street remained closed near Haskell Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard early Thursday.

No officers were injured.