Baby Held Hostage During Standoff with Armed Pursuit Suspect

Lancaster, Los Angeles County, CA: A California Highway Patrol pursuit of a speeding vehicle exited off the freeway and transitioned into a standoff at a mobile home park in Lancaster with the suspect barricaded with a baby who was in the vehicle at the time the pursuit began.

Key News Network video from the location shows the presence of CHP officers, K-9, SWAT and sheriff’s deputies involved in the overnight standoff that currently continues into the day.

CHP initiated a pursuit of a vehicle that was traveling at speeds over 130 mph on Golden Valley and the 14 Freeway north around 11:45 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20.

The suspect continued to take side streets and the 14 North leading him to the Lancaster area.

The suspect led California Highway Patrol units to Lido Estates mobile home park at 26th Street and East Ave I where he had a handgun to the child’s head upon exiting the vehicle and walked into a mobile home believed to be his residence. The mother of the child reportedly does not live at the location, according to information from the scene.

CHP Sergeant Alejandro Rubio, supervisor for public information and media relations section, southern division, updated information regarding the continuing standoff during a morning press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

Rubio said the suspect called the sheriff’s department during the pursuit and informed them that he had a weapon in the vehicle and also an infant child in the vehicle. He also said he would shoot the officers if they did not disengage the pursuit. At approximately 12:47 a.m., at 17th Street East and Avenue Q, the suspect fired but no officers were injured or equipment damaged.

The initial want for the suspect was speed at a 132 mph, said Rubio.

Authorities believe the only two occupants currently in the mobile home is the suspect and the baby.

Hostage negotiators are on the scene, confirmed Rubio. He also said there was no information on the mother.

This is a developing story and will be updated when the incident terminates and more information is made available by authorities.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is taking over the investigation.

Keith Johnson, Video Journalist / KNN