Police Shoot Suspect To End Los Angeles Hostage Situation

Los Angeles-area police shot and likely killed an armed man who had barricaded himself inside a restaurant with several hostages after allegedly carrying out two carjackings on Thursday.

The gunman was shot and "likely deceased" when heavily armed officers stormed the barbecue restaurant in Downey, southeast of Los Angeles, to end the two-hour hostage drama, a police spokesman said. No one else was hurt, he said.

Police said the unidentified suspect stole two cars at gunpoint and led officers on a chase through Los Angeles before running into the restaurant while firing his weapon.

Dozens of people were able to escape the restaurant, which was in the middle of a busy dinner rush, authorities said. About a half-dozen people were taken hostage, police and media reported.

Police threw flashbang grenades before swarming into the restaurant to end the standoff, video carried by local news broadcaster KCAL 9 showed.

(Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere; Editing by Stephen Coates)

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