High-Speed Pursuit in Orange County Results in Fatal Shooting
New details have surfaced regarding a tragic high-speed chase in Orange County that culminated in a fatal police encounter on April 16, 2025. The pursuit initiated following reports of a shooting at the Kona Motel located on North Brookhurst Street in Anaheim.
Overview of the Incident
The Anaheim Police Department reported that the sequence of events began around 8 p.m. when officers responded to the motel and found a man with a gunshot wound. Immediate efforts were made to locate the suspect, who fled the scene in a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, heading southbound on Brookhurst Street.
Pursuit and Police Action
Officers were able to identify the suspect’s vehicle shortly after it left the motel. When the suspect failed to stop, a police chase commenced. According to official statements, the pursuit lasted approximately 45 minutes, involving both freeway and city streets.
During the chase, several attempts were made to execute a Precision Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver to immobilize the vehicle. The pursuit ultimately concluded in the 1400 block of W. Memory Lane in Santa Ana, where officers were able to disable the truck.
Collision and Gunfire
Footage captured by Sky5 showed a police vehicle making contact with the suspect’s truck, which resulted in it colliding with a guardrail before spinning into the center divider. Following this crash, officers surrounded the truck and opened fire as smoke billowed from the vehicle.
Casualties and Aftermath
The driver of the pickup was fatally shot and pronounced dead at the scene by personnel from the Orange County Fire Authority. A total of eight officers were reported to have fired their weapons during this incident. Fortunately, an adult male passenger in the truck survived the encounter unharmed and was questioned by authorities before being released without charges.
The victim of the initial shooting at the Kona Motel was transported to a hospital, where he is currently listed in stable condition. As of now, authorities have not established a motive for the motel shooting, which remains under investigation.
Ongoing Investigations
The identity of the approximately 50-year-old deceased suspect is being withheld pending confirmation from the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office. The Anaheim Police encourage anyone with information regarding the ongoing investigation to contact the Orange County Crime Stoppers Hotline at 855-TIP-OCCS.
