The Downey Patriot

View Original

Authorities ID man fatally shot by CHP officer at Los Cerritos Center

CERRITOS — Authorities Monday identified a man who was fatally shot by a California Highway Patrol officer outside the Los Cerritos Center mall.

The shooting occurred about 4 p.m. Friday near the 300 block of Los Cerritos Center, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Mauricio Sandoval, 46, died at a hospital, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner reported on Monday. His city of residence was not known.

According to the sheriff's department, the CHP's Southern Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force was conducting an operation at the shopping center, and three suspects were identified as being involved in criminal activity.

The suspects fled the Los Cerritos Center and two of them -- a man and a woman -- drove away in a vehicle and were later captured in Pico Rivera, the sheriff's department reported.

"The third suspect, a ... male adult, ran through the parking lot, produced a firearm, and an officer-involved shooting occurred," the sheriff's department said in a statement.

Detectives recovered a firearm at the scene. Sheriff's detectives assisted the CHP in the investigation of the shooting.

Video footage circulating on social media depicts sounds of gunshots, prompting shoppers to frantically run from stores into the parking lot, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous callers may call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or send tips to www.lacrimestoppers.org.