Man Wounded by Police After Wild Chase

Los Angeles police shot and critically wounded a drive-by shooting suspect after he led officers on a wild auto and foot chase through North Hollywood, authorities said Sunday.

Marvin Barrio, 22, was in critical condition at Northridge Hospital Medical Center after the Saturday night shooting in which he was struck several times by police gunfire, Detective Ronald Karlson said.

Two officers fired 21 shots at Barrio after chasing him into a dead-end driveway near Atoll Avenue and Sherman Way, Karlson said. The officers fired after Barrio turned toward them in a menacing manner, Karlson said.

The officers were identified as Officer Chate Asvanonda, 30, and Detective Mark Aragon, 37.

Barrio was unarmed at the time of the shooting, but minutes earlier he had fired at a police car chasing him from the scene of a drive-by shooting, Karlson said. One person sustained moderate injuries in that attack, Karlson said.

Police found Barrio’s semiautomatic handgun along Sherman Way, apparently dropped as he ran from officers, Karlson said.

The incident began when a uniformed officer in an unmarked car witnessed a drive-by shooting near Hines Avenue and Vanowen Street. The officer later identified Barrio as the gunman in that attack, Karlson said.

The officer chased Barrio’s car and radioed for help. Barrio apparently leaned from his car and fired at least one shot, which hit the officer’s car but did not injure him, Karlson said.

Barrio’s car, carrying three other men, slammed into another vehicle at Sherman Way and Atoll. All four occupants jumped from the car and fled. Three were chased down and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Karlson said Barrio will be booked on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer, for allegedly firing during the pursuit, and on suspicion of attempted murder in the drive-by shooting.