Burglary Suspect Fatally Shoots Himself After Chase
A man suspected of burglary led authorities on a three-hour chase from Lancaster to San Diego County before shooting himself to death Thursday, the California Highway Patrol said.
John William Anderson, 39, of Lancaster died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 6:53 a.m. after exiting the Golden State Freeway in Carlsbad at Las Flores Drive, CHP Officer Karen Faciane said.
The officers reportedly shot twice at Anderson when he got out of the car but both shots missed, said Stan Berdan, an investigator with the San Diego County coroner’s office.
The pursuit began shortly after 4 a.m. when sheriff’s deputies noticed a man parked outside a shopping center in Lancaster.
“The guy was parked in front of the Wal-Mart and was spotted in the back seat of the car wearing a ski mask,” said Sgt. Steve Nelson of the Lancaster office of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
When deputies told the man to get out of the car, he reportedly yelled back “No, you’re not going to shoot me,” Nelson said.
The man then jumped from the back seat to the front, started the car and drove away.
CHP officers joined the chase on the Golden State Freeway. Anderson led officers through Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties at speeds up to 60 mph, the CHP said.
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