Man Shot, Killed By Torrance Police After Two Failed PIT Maneuvers

TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) — A man was shot and killed by police Saturday morning in Torrance after a short police pursuit and failed efforts to stop him.

The pursuit began at 2:08 a.m. in the area of Hawthorne Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway, according to Torrance police Sgt. Ronald Harris.

Torrance officers tried to pull over an alleged reckless driver in a green Ford Ranger whom they believed could have been under the influence. The driver refused to pull over and a short chase began. Officers tried using the Precision Intervention Technique or PIT maneuver to stop him.

After a second PIT maneuver failed, officers fired their weapons into the vehicle.

Officers then pulled the driver from the car and he was transported to a hospital by paramedics where he was pronounced dead. His name was withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Saku Raoshimo, who lives nearby heard the gunfire.

"A bit shotgun, but, like, much faster — bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!"

It is not yet clear how many shots were fired by police, but three bullet holes could be seen on the truck's windshield.

Harris said the OIS was being investigated by acting Torrance police Capt. Jeremiah Hart of the Special Operations Bureau as well as the Los Angeles County District Attorney's shooting team from the Justice System Integrity Division.

Anyone with information on this fatal OIS was asked to call Torrance police at (310) 618-5570.

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