Deputy Shoots Suspect from Helicopter During Freeway Chase

The gray Chevrolet Tahoe reached speeds of 100 miles per hour as it raced along streets and traveled southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 215 into San Bernardino, sideswiping a vehicle , authorities said.

A sheriff’s spokeswoman said shootings from helicopters were rare but deputies did train for such eventualities. A deputy in a helicopter fired several shots at the suspect’s auto , hitting the vehicle and the suspect.

LOS ANGELES-Police are justified in shooting suspects from helicopters – as happened Friday during the pursuit of a wrong-way vehicle on the 215 Freeway in San Bernardino County – only in the most desperate situations and when other tactics might be more unsafe , experts said.

The San Bernardino County sheriff sniper fired at least nine times, striking the home invasion suspect at least once, who then exited the still-rolling vehicle and stumbled a few feet before dropping dead.

“The last was in Apple Valley in 2001”, she said. “This training is specific to deploying weaponry from the aircraft” and has been going on since the mid-1980s, Miller said.

“The Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Division was attempting to take into custody a home invasion robbery suspect”. The man and boy were treated and released.

Sheriff’s Department authorities had attempted to pull the man over during a traffic stop in Fontana about 12:50 p.m. but he tried to flee. After the suspect jumped out of the SUV, it crashed into another SUV with three people inside, officials said. During the pursuit an officer involved shooting took place.

The driver finally collapsed and died on the freeway shoulder.

Images from TV helicopters at the scene showed multiple bullet holes in the car’s bonnet and roof, along with two in the window, one on the driver’s side at head height. According to NBC Los Angeles, three were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect failed to stop and authorities initiated a pursuit. Police said an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.