2 Buena Park Officers Shoot, Kill Armed Man After Chase

Two Buena Park police officers on Sunday shot and killed a man who had led them on a short chase after allegedly threatening employees at the Buena Park Mall with a handgun, authorities said.

The shooting marked the second time in less than a week that police in Orange County have killed an armed and fleeing suspect. Sunday’s shooting occurred about 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Keno’s Restaurant, 2661 W. La Palma Ave. in Anaheim.

The dead man, whose name and age were not released, was apparently living out of his car and had parked it at the restaurant the past couple of days, restaurant employees said.

“He was here this morning, blasting his radio, and our general manager had to go out there to tell him to shut off the music and chase him off,” said Bonnie Henderson, the restaurant’s assistant manager.

After leaving the restaurant parking lot, the man apparently drove to the Buena Park Mall, where employees called authorities to report that he was in his car with a gun and threatening them, according to police.

The man drove away from the mall, but was quickly spotted by Buena Park patrol officers who “attempted to stop him by utilizing overhead lights and sirens,” a report by Anaheim Police Sgt. Steve Rodig stated. “The suspect failed to yield.”

The man drove about a mile to Keno’s parking lot and got out of the car with a loaded handgun, Rodig said.

Two Buena Park officers opened fire, hitting the suspect, Rodig said. He was treated at the scene and then taken to a hospital, where he died, Rodig said.

The identities of the two officers involved in the shooting were not released.

Henderson, who did not witness the shooting, said several of the restaurant’s employees told her they heard about five shots.

“He came out of the car with a gun and he was headed for our doorway,” Henderson said, and the employees “thought he was going to come inside.”