San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies shot and killed a kidnapping suspect late Wednesday night after he executed a 60-year-old victim who was trapped inside a car trunk on Wandering Ridge Drive in Chino Hills, California.
The incident began around 10:15 p. m.
when deputies responded to reports of gunshots, home intrusion, and cries for help in the 2100 block of Monteverde Drive.
Suspects had severed power to the home, shot the resident, placed him in the trunk of a gray Nissan Altima, and fled the scene.
Responding deputies spotted the suspect vehicle speeding away and attempted a traffic stop without knowing a victim was trapped inside the trunk.
The driver failed to yield, leading law enforcement on a mile-long pursuit that ended near Gemstone Court and Wandering Ridge Drive.
Security video captured the end of the pursuit as deputies surrounded the vehicle.
A passenger exited with his hands raised and complied with orders.
However, the driver walked to the rear of the car, opened the trunk, and fired directly at the abducted victim inside before deputies opened fire on him.
Deputies provided lifesaving measures, but both the driver and the kidnapping victim died at the scene.
The uninjured passenger was taken into custody as homicide detectives opened an investigation into the crime scenes, stating there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Investigation Underway
"It is disturbing," said Gloria Orejel, Sheriff's Spokeswoman. "Apparently there was a victim inside there who had been kidnapped from the previous Monteverde address."
Investigators stated that the deputies were initially unaware of the victim's presence inside the vehicle prior to the confrontation.
"The driver failed to yield and a short pursuit began," said Orejel.
The passenger in the car complied with orders from law enforcement before the driver initiated the shooting.
"The passenger did comply," said Orejel.
"However, the driver exited the vehicle, approached the trunk of the suspect vehicle and fired a shot into a victim that was inside the trunk."
Authorities are working to establish the connection and potential motive between the suspects and the victim.
"The motive for this incident is still under investigation," said Orejel.
"I don't know what the relation is between the suspects and the victim, if any but again that will be provided a little bit later."
Nearby residents expressed shock over the violence occurring in their neighborhood.
"I was shocked, to be honest," said Gregory Uthus, a local resident. "This doesn't happen in Chino Hills."
Neighbors also speculated about the familiarity between the involved individuals.
"It seems to me these people knew each other," said Uthus.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Homicide Detail is actively requesting anyone with additional information to contact their department as the investigation remains ongoing.
