Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA Sheriff's deputies fatally shoot carjacker after pursuit, restaurant takeover in Downey
Chris & Pitts restaurant in Downey, where a suspect was shot and killed by deputies after a vehicle pursuit on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015.
(
Susanica Tam
)
Witness Kelly Ford was in Chris & Pitts restaurant in Downey when the suspect entered, but fled outside before the deputies shot and killed the suspect on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015.
(
Susanica Tam
)
A witness speaks to reporters near the Chris & Pitts restaurant in Downey, where a suspect was shot and killed by deputies after a vehicle pursuit on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015.
(
Susanica Tam/For KPCC
)
Update 10:27 a.m.: The Los Angeles County medical examiner's office identified the man Friday as 41-year-old Eddie Tapia, the Associated Press reports.
Previously: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies fatally shot a carjacking suspect after he led authorities on a chase, then ran off shooting and took hostages inside a Chris & Pitts barbecue restaurant in Downey Thursday evening, officials said.
No hostages were hit by gunfire and the identity of the suspect has yet to be released.
“It’s one of the most intense, dynamic situations an office can encounter,” said Los Angeles Sheriff's Lt. Eddie Hernandez.
The incident started around 6:30 p.m., when a sheriff's helicopter on patrol above Pico Rivera detected a signal emitted from a LoJack tracking system on a stolen car.
While following the car, officials said the helicopter crew witnessed the man abandon that car and carjack the driver of a second car in Whittier.
A chase ensued through Montebello, Monterey Park and into Downey where officers conducted a ‘PIT maneuver,’ clipping the back of the moving car and forcing the fleeing driver to lose control and stop. Television helicopters filmed the maneuver and the man running off. He appears to fire off several rounds as he fled.
The suspect waved a small handgun as he ran into the restaurant where Kelly Ford and several other diners were seated.
“It was shocking,” Ford told KPCC.
She heard the suspect ask for medicine before she ran from the dining room trailing her mother and five-year-old nephew. Before she left, she said she heard him say he was ready to negotiate.
Officers with the California Highway Patrol, Downey Police Department and Whittier Police Department responded to help, barricading restaurant parking lot and the shopping center across the street as well as the Lakewood exit off I-5. Sheriff's officials corralled witnesses into a nearby McDonalds for interviews.
A SWAT deputy shot the suspect through a window, officials said.
Other deputies rushed inside and said they saw the suspect crawling towards his gun. They, too, opened fire.
Officials pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.
“I felt bad about that,” Ford said. “He just wanted to get away. He said ‘I don’t want to hurt nobody.’ ”
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist