Anaheim Police Kill 29-Year-Old They Were Investigating

LA HABRA —  An Orange County man was shot and killed Tuesday night at a gas station by Anaheim police officers who had been following him in an investigation.

Capt. John Rees, a spokesman for the La Habra police, said the man pulled into the Chevron station at Harbor Boulevard and Imperial Highway at 5:45 p.m., followed by five undercover police officers from Anaheim traveling in three unmarked cars. As the man parked his Ford pickup truck at the gas pumps and stepped out, one police car pulled behind and two others pulled in front to block his escape, Rees said.

Several police officers identified themselves and tried to make an arrest, but the man got back in the truck and raced his engine as if to flee, Rees said. Three officers then opened fire, shattering truck windows and killing him almost instantly, he said.

Rees would not say if the man had a weapon, or what caused the Anaheim officers to open fire.

Police would not release details of the investigation nor identify the man who other than to say he was 29, an Orange County resident and a parolee who was considered a fugitive.

The La Habra Police Department and Orange County district attorney’s office are conducting a joint investigation of the shooting, and teams planned to interview about 10 witnesses Tuesday night, Rees said. In addition, the Anaheim Police Department is conducting its own investigation to determine whether the shooting was justified under department guidelines, he said.

Rees said the original investigation that involved the man is continuing and could involve other jurisdictions, including Fullerton. He would not elaborate.

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