Armed Suspect Pursuit Ends In Fiery DTLA Crash

A pursuit involving a reportedly armed suspect ended with a violent crash, a blown transformer and a damaged fire hydrant early Tuesday morning near Downtown Los Angeles.

The pursuit ended at approximately 1:15 a.m. on September 1, 2026, near Santa Fe Avenue and Olympic Boulevard.

According to preliminary information, Long Beach police and CHP were pursuing a possibly armed suspect who was reportedly firing at officers during the chase with what was described as an AK-47-style rifle.

The pursuit ended when the suspect crashed into a power pole, causing a transformer to explode. The explosion was captured on video.

The suspect vehicle also came to rest on a fire hydrant, creating additional problems for Los Angeles firefighters attempting to shut off the water.

The collision knocked out nearby traffic signals, prompting a response from utility and traffic crews.

Additional information regarding the suspect’s condition, any arrests or whether anyone was struck by gunfire was not immediately available.

The circumstances surrounding the pursuit remain under investigation.