A man suspected of arson was shot and killed by Southern California sheriff's deputies after leading authorities on a 30-mile vehicle pursuit in the desert over the weekend, officials said Tuesday.
Deputies responded Sunday following reports that a truck trailer was burning near Yucca Valley, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
A man believed to have started the fire drove away from the scene, leading deputies on a half-hour chase that lasted until he drove off a highway and his vehicle became disabled near Palm Springs, authorities said.
3 DEAD IN CALIFORNIA OF SUSPECTED FENTANYL OVERDOSE, 1 HOSPITALIZED
"A lethal force encounter occurred, and the suspect was hit by gunfire," the department statement said. Officials didn't say whether the man had a weapon or what prompted deputies to open fire.
The suspect was identified as Antonio Guzman, 44, of Yucca Valley.
