Police Shoot Suspect in Wrong-Way Chase

A 22-year-old man was shot in the shoulder by a police officer Friday night in Woodland Hills after a wrong-way freeway chase and a foot pursuit, Los Angeles Police said.

Craig Buchanan of Hidden Hills was in stable condition in County-USC Medical Center Saturday, Detective Bob Winget said.

The chase, which included two hit-and-run accidents, began about 11 p.m. at Roscoe and Sepulveda boulevards when Officer Kerry Ray saw Buchanan driving erratically, Winget said.

Buchanan refused to stop and tried to ram the officer’s motorcycle with his small truck, at which time Ray fired one shot at the suspect, Winget said. Buchanan then drove away, with Ray in pursuit, Winget said.

After a wrong-way chase at speeds up to 90 m.p.h. on the San Diego and Ventura freeways, where the accidents occurred, Ray left his car at Ensenada Drive and Alamo Street in Woodland Hills and was chased on foot by Ray, Winget said. Ray fired five rounds at Buchanan, hitting him once in the shoulder, Winget said.

Officer Charles Stropko declined to comment on why the officer shot at Buchanan, who was unarmed, saying an investigation is under way.

Buchanan was taken to Canoga Park Hospital for treatment before being transferred to County-USC Medical Center, Winget said. Buchanan was being held on suspicion of hit-and-run driving, assault with a deadly weapon and reckless driving, police said.