Juan Manuel Avila Jr., 20

Juan Manuel Avila Jr., a 20-year-old Latino, died Tuesday, April 25, after he was shot by Long Beach police in the 10000 block of Foster Road in Bellflower, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

Long Beach police were near Paramount and Artesia boulevards about 6 a.m., when they received a Lo-Jack notification about a stolen vehicle, according to a police news release. Officers located the green 2000 Honda Accord, but the vehicle sped away, according to police. 

Police pursued the sedan for almost 50 minutes through several cities. During the pursuit, a handgun was thrown out of the vehicle and was recovered near Lakewood Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue, the release said.

The pursuit ended in Bellflower when the driver entered a dead-end street. In an attempt to escape, the driver made a U-turn and drove towards the officers, accord to the release. Officers opened fire on the vehicle, fatally shooting the driver, Avila. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

David Anthony Luera of Paramount, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was not injured and was taken into custody, according to police. He was arrested on suspicion of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm and being in possession of a stolen vehicle. 

Anyone with information can call Long Beach police at (562) 570-7244. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @jeromercampbell and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.