Man Shot And Killed By Deputies After Stabbing And Chasing His Wife Outside Courthouse

Deputies shot and killed a man outside a Valley courthouse yesterday after he allegedly stabbed his wife and continued to chase her with the knife.

The couple, whose identities have not been released, arrived at the Chatsworth Courthouse at about noon on Monday to take care of a traffic ticket, according to KTLA. Though they were technically married, NBC Los Angeles reports that they had been estranged for the last two weeks.

Witnesses saw the couple arguing inside a black Audi being driven by the woman. They say the fight escalated when the man pulled out a large knife and began stabbing her. Tom Feher, an attorney who was present at the courthouse yesterday, told KTLA, "The woman was literally climbing out of the car and stumbling and running for her life toward the courthouse."

Feher said the man chased his wife as she fled. The courthouse is patrolled by Sheriff's deputies, who shouted at the man to drop the knife. Bystanders say the man did not listen to the deputies' commands. One witness told ABC 7 that the woman was only feet away from the courthouse, reaching for the door, when deputies opened fire and shot him.

The man was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The woman, who sustained a stab wound to her torso as well as several cuts to her hands, was transported to the hospital in critical condition, but is expected to survive. The courthouse was closed for the rest of Monday, but should reopen today.