Shonchy Thaopraseuth, 22

Los Angeles, California
February 23, 2012

Agencies: Los Angeles Police Department California LAPD

Cause of death: Not Yet Known


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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

Shonchy Thaopraseuth, a 22-year-old Asian man, was shot and killed by police Thursday, Feb. 23, in the 3200 block of Wilshire Boulevard in Koreatown, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Thaopraseuth, an armed carjacking suspect, drove to North Valley Boulevard and Eastern Avenue in El Sereno, where he dumped the car he was driving and stole a Saturn from a 65-year-old man, according to police sources.

With LAPD officers in pursuit and TV news helicopters overhead, Thaopraseuth led officers on a slow chase across city streets. It ended shortly after 7:30 p.m.

Live television coverage showed Thaopraseuth driving on the 101 Freeway, rolling past people on bustling Hollywood Boulevard and pulling the car into a gas station on Wilshire Boulevard, where at least one officer fired multiple shots into the vehicle as a bystander ducked for cover near an adjacent vehicle.

When the the suspect "pulled out his revolver and pointed it at people inside the store, the officers took action, fired their rounds and the suspect expired at the scene," LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith said.

Coroner's records show Thaopraseuth was shot several times in the head and torso.