Several lanes of the busy 405 Freeway in Los Angeles were closed during the Friday morning rush after a police shooting in the area.

The man accused of robbing a taxi driver at gunpoint was killed after allegedly opening fire on officers during a freeway chase near LAX early Friday, triggering a massive shutdown of the northbound 405.

All lanes of the freeway near Howard Hughes Parkway were closed off as police investigated.

The confrontation began around 4:15 a.m. when a Yellow Cab driver called police to report he had been threatened with a gun and robbed in the 5800 block of Manchester Boulevard in Westchester, LAPD Capt. Mike Bland, told KTLA.

The driver then pointed officers toward the suspect, who was sitting inside a black Kia Soul. Police said the man refused to cooperate and sped away when officers approached and ordered him out of the vehicle.

The pursuit moved onto the northbound 405 Freeway, where authorities said the suspect escalated the situation.

“During the pursuit, the suspect opened fire presumably toward the officers’ direction and a short time later stopped the vehicle and exited in possession of a handgun,” Bland said.

“Officers gave him commands to drop the handgun, but he refused to comply and an officer-involved shooting occurred.”

The suspect was struck by gunfire. Officers rendered aid until Los Angeles Fire Department crews arrived and transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police recovered a handgun at the scene. No other injuries were reported, including to the taxi driver who was allegedly robbed, Bland said.

A SigAlert remains in effect for the northbound 405 in Westchester at Howard Hughes Parkway.
All lanes northbound lanes were closed until further notice, causing heavy delays near LAX. Drivers are strongly urged to use alternate routes.

“The 405 southbound is still open, but if you’re heading to LAX to catch a flight, going to work, or traveling through the area, please give yourself a lot of extra time,” Beard said.