Kidnap-bank drama ends in gunman’s death on I-15
A man who authorities said kidnapped two people at gunpoint was shot and killed Saturday by Corona police after a standoff on Interstate 15.
The incident and investigation closed the freeway’s southbound lanes for most of the day, officials said.
The 30-year-old gunman, authorities said, forced a couple from their Pioneer Lane home outside Corona to the Bank of America in the 1300 block of East Ontario Avenue in the city. Authorities said that the couple did not know the gunman.
Corona is about 50 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
While the woman, 63, was in the bank withdrawing money about 10:30 a.m. at the gunman’s demand, she told an employee that she and her husband, 69, had been taken hostage and that their kidnapper was holding him at gunpoint outside, authorities said. The bank employee called police.
Officers trailed a blue 2002 Chevy Blazer from the bank to the southbound lanes of I-15. Just north of El Cerrito Road, the driver of the Blazer was pulled over for a traffic stop.
Police said negotiations with the gunman began shortly after 11 a.m., and the freeway was closed in both directions, according to the California Highway Patrol website.
A Corona police officer reportedly shot and killed the gunman.
The northbound lanes were reopened about 11:30 a.m. but the southbound lanes were closed between Ontario Avenue and El Cerrito until about 7 p.m. as police gathered evidence.
Anyone with information is asked to call Corona police at (951) 736-2420.
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