California sheriff’s deputies opened fire during a traffic stop after a driver lifted the trunk of his car and authorities allegedly discovered a body inside.
Video from the scene shows deputies pulling over a vehicle in a quiet Chino Hills neighborhood on Wednesday night. A passenger exited first and walked toward law enforcement with his hands raised.
The driver, however, appeared to hesitate. He stayed behind the wheel, repeatedly opened and closed his door, and at one point allowed the car to roll forward slightly.
Moments later, he stepped out with his hands up, then turned back toward the vehicle and reached inside as if to retrieve something.
The footage then shows him moving to the rear of the Nissan and opening the trunk. Seconds later, smoke from deputies’ firearms is visible as shots are fired, prompting both the driver and passenger to drop to the ground.
The vehicle involved was a Nissan Altima bearing Oregon license plates.
Additional video from the 2400 block of Wandering Ridge Drive showed the area sealed off with yellow police tape. A body covered by a white sheet could be seen on the ground as homicide investigators worked at the scene.
Officials have not said whether the suspect was armed, and the passenger’s condition was not immediately clear.
“This evening, there was a deputy-involved shooting in the 2400 block of Wandering Ridge Drive. No deputies were injured,” the Chino Hills Police Department wrote in an Instagram post.
“Residents can expect a continued law enforcement presence in the area as the investigation remains ongoing.
“At this time, there are no outstanding suspects, and there is no known ongoing threat to the community,” they added.
Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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