Live on TV: Car-chase police kill robbery suspect

Thousands of TV viewers saw police shoot dead a robbery suspect after a car chase broadcast live on local stations.

Now police and the district attorney’s office are investigating the actions of three officers who fired into the suspect’s car.

Police began chasing Nicholas Killinger early on Monday after he allegedly tied up a petrol station attendant and stole €180.

After a 90-minute chase that was covered by television helicopters, Killinger, who had reversed into police patrol cars, was shot by Los Angeles officers in front of Santa Monica High School. He died about an hour later.

“The suspect could have ended this situation at any time,” Lt Art Miller told the Los Angeles Times. “But instead he chose to reverse his car into the officers.”

Killinger, 23, rolled backwards into two police vehicles after he failed to complete a U-turn. The officers fired about 11 rounds into the rear window of his car.

A police spokeswoman, Officer Adriana Sanchez, said yesterday that several shots hit Killinger. An autopsy revealed that Killinger died of multiple gunshot wounds.

At least two local news stations broadcast the shooting as it happened, and more than five aired footage.

The three officers were identified as Manuel Solis, Arturo Ramirez and Carlos Ocegueda.

Solis, 30, was awarded the department’s Medal for Valour after a 1998 shootout in which he helped his wounded partner to safety.

The Los Angeles district attorney’s office and the Santa Monica Police Department are investigating the shooting.

Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton said investigators would conduct a separate inquiry to determine whether the officers followed department guidelines. He has been trying to limit Los Angeles police from shooting at vehicles that posed a threat.

Other departments, citing a danger to bystanders, have banned the practice.