News Summary
A police confrontation in Laguna Hills resulted in the death of 31-year-old Andre Anthony Matijasevic, who was wanted for the fatal shooting of a woman in Carlsbad. The incident escalated from a chase involving a stolen vehicle linked to the shooting. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as Matijasevic engaged in a shootout with officers before being fatally wounded. Authorities are investigating the events that unfolded, including the initial homicide and the subsequent police response.
Carlsbad – A suspect identified as Andre Anthony Matijasevic, 31, from Rancho Santa Margarita, was shot and killed during a confrontation with police early Saturday in Laguna Hills, California. Matijasevic was wanted for the fatal shooting of a woman in Carlsbad.
The incident began around 9:53 p.m. on Friday when Carlsbad police responded to gunfire reports at an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Rising Glen Way. Upon arrival, officers discovered a woman with multiple gunshot wounds. She was unresponsive at the scene and later pronounced dead. In a concerning twist, the woman’s vehicle, a maroon Kia Sorento, was reported stolen during the shooting.
At 12:18 a.m. on Saturday, Laguna Beach police received a notification from a license plate reader indicating that the stolen vehicle was entering their area. The Newport Beach police department visually located the vehicle at 12:55 a.m., leading to a police pursuit when Matijasevic failed to comply with traffic regulations.
The chase escalated onto southbound Interstate 5. Matijasevic attempted to evade capture by exiting at El Toro Road and maneuvering through a business complex. He eventually halted his vehicle in the middle of El Toro Road, exited, and began firing upon pursuing officers.
In the exchange of fire that ensued, multiple police vehicles were hit, and the confrontation moved toward an In-N-Out Burger located at 24001 Avenida de La Carlota. Matijasevic was ultimately struck by gunfire and fell in the parking lot of the restaurant but continued to return fire at officers.
Paramedics transported Matijasevic to Providence Mission Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities have confirmed that no officers were injured during this tense situation.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with patrons inside the In-N-Out running for cover as gunshots erupted around them. A semiautomatic handgun was found near Matijasevic’s body after the shootout concluded.
As of now, the identity of the female victim from Carlsbad is still pending release as authorities await notification of her next of kin. The ongoing investigation into both the initial homicide and the subsequent shootout is under the jurisdiction of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities are calling on anyone with information regarding the incident or anyone who may have taken photos or videos during the chaos to reach out to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
This incident highlights undercurrents of violence and the rapid unfolding of events that not only impacted the lives of the victims and their families but also caused community distress in both Carlsbad and Laguna Hills. The law enforcement response underscores the challenges that officers face when pursuing armed suspects.
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Additional Resources
- ABC7 News
- Wikipedia: Laguna Hills, California
- NBC Los Angeles
- Google Search: Laguna Hills shootout
- Los Angeles Times
- Google Scholar: Laguna Hills shootout
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Laguna Hills
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
