Kern County Murder, Chase Suspect Fatally Shot By Authorities

RIDGECREST (CBS/AP) — A murder suspect was killed Friday morning following a shooting spree and high-speed chase in Kern County.

According to Kern County Sheriff's officials, the unidentified suspect called a Ridgecrest police officer's cell phone around 5 a.m. and made threats.

"He said he wanted to kill police officers, but they had too many guns," Sheriff Donny Youngblood said. "He said he had a package and he was going to wreak havoc."

Deputies later responded around 7:10 a.m. to assist Ridgecrest police with an assault with a deadly weapon and pursuit call.

Authorities said the suspect reportedly shot and killed a woman on W. Atkins Street in Ridgecrest before engaging in a pursuit.

The chase continued for an hour on U.S. 395 with the California Highway Patrol and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department aiding in the effort as the suspect fired at vehicles, officials said.

The pursuit ended at 8:15 a.m., just north of Kramer Junction, when an officer-involved shooting occurred, killing the unidentified suspect.

A male and female were located in the trunk of the suspect's vehicle. Both adult victims suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to Antelope Valley Hospital in unknown condition, sheriff's officials said.

"We believe they are going to survive," Sheriff Youngblood said.

The suspect and all three victims knew each other. It was unclear how the surviving victims ended up in the suspect's.

Authorities did not release a motive behind the murder in Ridgecrest although CBS2's Jeff Nguyen reported that it may have involved a dispute over drugs.

Highway 395 is closed from Kramer Junction for 10 miles north due to the investigation, the CHP said.

Schools in Ridgecrest were placed on lockdown as a precaution but were later reopened.

The city of about 27,000 people is 150 miles north of Los Angeles.

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