An investigation is ongoing following a deputy-involved shooting in Chino Hills. The incident began with a tragic event on Wednesday night when a kidnapping suspect fatally shot a victim in the trunk of a car during a traffic stop. This occurred moments before law enforcement officers opened fire.
Deputies responded to reports of gunfire and calls for help, stopping the vehicle without initially knowing it was connected to a kidnapping. Both the driver and victim were pronounced dead at the scene. A second suspect surrendered to authorities. Investigators are examining the relationship between the suspects and the victim and the events leading to the attack.
Officials revealed the suspect had shot the victim prior to the trunk incident and subsequently shot them again during the traffic stop. This confrontation unfolded after deputies received calls about gunshots and someone calling for help in the 2000 block of Monteverde Drive around 10:15 p.m.
The public information officer, Gloria Orejel, stated the victim was initially shot outside their residence by two kidnappers, who then placed the victim in the car trunk. Deputies responding to the shooting noticed the suspect vehicle and stopped it, unaware of the kidnapping situation.
“The deputies ordered the two passengers out of the vehicle,” Orejel stated. “The passenger complied, but the driver exited, approached the trunk, and fired into the victim inside.”
Law enforcement then shot the driver. Both the driver and the victim in the trunk were confirmed dead. Current details about the victim and their connection to the suspects remain unknown.