Robber Slain After Taking Hostage

A gunman who fled with a hostage from a hair salon robbery in Walnut Park was shot to death by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies Saturday night, authorities said. The woman hostage escaped and was not injured.

Alerted that four women were being held at gunpoint inside, deputies arrived at the shop, located at 7848 Pacific Blvd., shortly before 8 p.m., said Deputy Diane Hecht. Taking along one woman hostage with a gun pointed to her head, the gunman managed to drive his car about a quarter of a mile as deputies fired at its tires.

After the gunman’s car crashed into a fence, the woman escaped, Hecht said. The 27-year-old gunman--whose identity was being withheld pending notification of his family--was shot to death by deputies, she said.