A hostage crisis in Los Angeles was averted Thursday evening when an armed man holding several hostages in a local restaurant was shot dead by police as they stormed the building.
The suspect, whose name is still unknown, reportedly stole two vehicles in Los Angeles County, reported ABC News. The man then proceeded to drive erratically through the streets, and at one point even began driving on the wrong side of the road and sped through intersections, nearly crashing into civilian cars as a result.
In order to halt the suspect's reckless driving, authorities deployed a PIT manuever, or precision immobilization technique, which is a pursuit tactic police utilize to send a car sideways.
Upon being forced off the road, the suspect exited his car and fired several rounds into the air before heading inside a nearby Chris' and Pitt's barbeque restaurant, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Several employees and customers ran out of the restaurant, with their hands up in the air as police began to surround the building, reported Reuters. A standoff then began after the suspect took about a half-dozen people hostage.
SWAT teams first used a flash bang before making their move and shooting the suspect. The suspect was declared dead on the scene, reported authorities. No injuries to the civilians involved were reported.
