Menifee Murder Suspect
MENIFEE (CNS) – A man suspected of killing a female acquaintance in Menifee was shot to death by police on the Newport Beach Pier Saturday after a vehicle chase, authorities said.
The Menifee Police Department said officers responded to a report of gunshots in the 25000 block of Mesa Edge Court at approximately 2:43 a.m. Saturday. They found the deceased body of a woman later identified as 38-year- old Storm Wolf of Temecula unresponsive in a silver pickup truck, which was stopped in the street.
Officers suspected she was the victim of a homicide, and the case was subsequently taken over by detectives.
Jose Velasquez, a 45-year-old acquaintance of Wolf’s from Menifee, was identified as the primary suspect in her death, the department said, adding that Velasquez fled the scene before officers arrived.
“Following investigative leads, authorities determined that Velasquez may have traveled to the city of Santa Ana. The Santa Ana Police Department was contacted for assistance in locating him and his vehicle,” the MPD continued.
Santa Ana police located Velasquez in his vehicle in the 1400 block of North Freeman Street shortly after 6 a.m. and attempted to stop him, but he fled and a pursuit ensued.
“Early this morning, our officers were requested by an outside agency to apprehend a homicide suspect in the city of Santa Ana,” the Santa Ana Police Department said. “SAPD officers located the suspect in a vehicle and attempted to apprehend him, at which point a pursuit ensued.
“The pursuit ended in the city of Newport, where an officer involved shooting occurred. Our officers were unharmed during the incident. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
The homicide suspect was the lone occupant inside the vehicle and a firearm was located at the scene, according to Officer Natalie Garcia of the SAPD.
The Newport Beach Police Department reported that the pursuit ended at the Newport Pier.
The pier was closed to the public while an investigation was conducted.
“At this time, the scene is secured and an investigation is underway. There are no active threats to the community,” the NBPD said.
“We recognize that multiple citizens were on the pier and may have witnessed the incident,” the Santa Ana Police Department posted on social media Saturday afternoon. “Any witnesses are asked to call the Orange County District Attorney’s Office at 714-664-3964.”
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