The released body-camera and surveillance video on Friday showing an officer-involved shooting on the in that followed an alleged attempted carjacking and armed confrontation in active freeway traffic.
The LAPD released video showing officers shooting Jason Vega on the 210 Freeway in Sylmar after he allegedly attempted to carjack a pickup truck while armed with a handgun. Three officers opened fire. Vega was taken into custody and treated at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center.
The released body-camera and surveillance video on Friday showing an officer-involved shooting on the in that followed an alleged attempted carjacking and armed confrontation in active freeway traffic.
The incident unfolded around 12:44 p.m. on May 5 and shut down westbound lanes of the 210 Freeway for several hours during the afternoon commute.
According to the LAPD, officers from the Mission Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail were searching the 14000 block of Bledsoe Street for a man later identified as Jason Vega, who was wanted on outstanding felony arrest warrants related to drug charges.
When officers attempted to contact Vega, he fled on foot. He ran down an embankment onto the eastbound side of the 210 Freeway and crossed multiple lanes of traffic to reach the westbound side.
"Video released by the department shows Vega sprinting across the freeway as officers pursued him." According to the LAPD, Vega then attempted to carjack a pickup truck traveling in the westbound lanes.
Body-camera footage from the department's Critical Incident Community Briefing shows officers confronting Vega beneath an overpass while taking cover behind the pickup truck. The video captures officers repeatedly ordering Vega to drop what police described as a handgun.
According to the LAPD, Vega refused multiple commands to drop the weapon. Investigators said three officers then opened fire.
The video shows Vega falling to the ground after being shot. The LAPD said he continued to disregard commands and moved toward the firearm. Officers then used what the department described as an intermediate force option before taking him into custody.
Additional footage shows officers handcuffing Vega on the roadway following the shooting.
Police recovered a Glock 22 .40-caliber handgun at the scene. An image included in the department's video presentation also appeared to show a knife recovered during the investigation.
No officers or members of the public were injured during the incident, police said.
Vega was transported to Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, where he was treated for his injuries and later medically cleared for booking.
The LAPD emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing. Details released in the video are preliminary and could change as investigators continue reviewing evidence and conducting interviews.
The shooting drew attention from commuters and traffic cameras across the San Fernando Valley. All westbound lanes of the 210 Freeway in Sylmar were closed for hours while officers secured the scene and treated the suspect.
This is the latest officer-involved shooting released by the LAPD for public review as the department continues its practice of publishing body-camera footage for critical incidents.
This article was generated with AI assistance.