Overview

A shooting incident occurred outside the Los Cerritos Center in Cerritos, California, on Friday afternoon, resulting in the death of a suspect. The confrontation involved officers from the California Highway Patrol's Southern Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force.

The encounter escalated into an exchange of gunfire, prompting chaos among shoppers and leading to a lockdown of several stores in the mall.

Key details

  • The incident took place around 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Los Cerritos Center.
  • Officers identified three suspects involved in criminal activity prior to the shooting.
  • Gunfire was exchanged between the suspects in a Dodge Charger and a California Highway Patrol officer.
  • Video footage shows shoppers fleeing the area during the incident.
  • Stores, including Macy's, were locked down as a precaution.
  • Nordstrom closed early due to the shooting.
  • Two suspects, a man and a woman, fled the scene but were later captured in Pico Rivera.
  • The third suspect attempted to flee through the parking lot and brandished a firearm.
  • This suspect was shot, taken to a hospital, and later pronounced dead.
  • Crime-scene tape was used to cordon off part of the mall's parking lot for investigation.

Context

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about crime in retail areas and the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing organized criminal activities.

What happens next

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the shooting and the circumstances surrounding the suspects' criminal activities.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the identities of the suspects, the specific criminal activities they were involved in, and the exact circumstances leading to the gunfire exchange have not been confirmed.