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Man Wielding Hatchet Shot, Killed After Chase, Authorities Say

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A man who allegedly threatened people with a hatchet led El Segundo police on a short pursuit that ended with the suspect being fatally shot Wednesday afternoon in the Westchester area, just north of Los Angeles International Airport.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the suspect jumped onto the hood of a police cruiser while holding the hatchet just prior to being shot.

The incident began at about 12:25 p.m. El Segundo police responded to a 911 call about a man threatening people with a hatchet at Imperial Avenue and McCarthy Court.

"The police department received a call of a suspect approaching people in the area of McCarthy Court and Imperial (Avenue), wielding an ax or a machete and threatening them," El Segundo police Capt. Brian Evanski told KNX 1070 at the scene of the shooting.

However, before officers could get on scene, the suspect fled in a white SUV. Officers searched the area and found the suspect walking near Maple Avenue and Washington Street. He was carrying a hatchet, the sheriff's department said.

When the suspect saw the officers, he reportedly jumped back into his SUV and drove away. A short chase ensued. It came to an end when officers used the PIT maneuver to stop the SUV on eastbound Manchester Avenue near Kentwood Avenue.

At this point, LASD reports, the suspect got out of the SUV, still holding the hatchet, jumped onto the hood of a Segundo police vehicle and began threatening the officer inside.

The suspect was then shot at least once in the torso by officers. He died at the scene. The number of officers who fired on the suspect was not immediately disclosed. The hatchet was recovered at the scene, LASD said.

Manchester Avenue was closed between Kenwood Avenue and Sepulveda Westway during the investigation. LAX police advised people heading for the airport to navigate around the area, which has since been reopened.

The suspect was not immediately identified pending next of kin notification. LASD is continuing to investigate the case.

©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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