A store robbery ended in gunfire and trapped thousands of drivers on LA's busiest freeway

Police shot a suspect on the 405 Freeway Friday morning, shutting down northbound lanes near LAX and causing huge rush-hour delays.

Imagine being trapped on the highway for hours, staring at police lights, just trying to get to work. That was the reality for thousands of Los Angeles drivers on Friday morning after a police chase turned violent.

WHAT HAPPENED

It started around 4:00 a.m. with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store. Police officers chased a suspect driving a Kia.

The chase ended on the northbound 405 Freeway near Howard Hughes Parkway.

Officers fired their weapons. A person was left lying on the road, and their condition is not known. No police officers were hurt in the shooting.

WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS

The incident began around 4:00 a.m. on Friday morning.

• The pursuit started after a robbery at a 7-Eleven store.
• Officers chased the suspect in a Kia.
• The Highway Patrol closed all northbound lanes near Howard Hughes Parkway for 6 to 8 hours.
• No police officers were hurt in the event.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

High-speed chases are common in Los Angeles, but they often end in crowded areas. When a chase spills onto a major highway like the 405, it puts thousands of innocent drivers at risk.

We must ask if there is a safer way to stop suspects before they reach our busiest roads. How do we balance public safety with the need to catch fleeing suspects quickly?

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

Drivers had to find other routes around LAX on Friday morning. The lanes stayed closed for up to 8 hours while police looked for evidence on the road.

This shutdown caused massive traffic jams that delayed people trying to get to work and catch flights.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. Why did the officers decide to shoot?
2. What is the health status of the person who was shot?
3. Was the suspect carrying a weapon during the chase?