News Summary
A man involved in a deadly shooting in Carlsbad was shot dead by police in Laguna Hills after a chase that concluded outside an In-N-Out Burger. Andre Anthony Matijasevic, armed with a semiautomatic handgun, engaged in a shootout following the pursuit that initiated from a reported gunfire incident leading to a woman’s death. Authorities say no officers were injured in the incident as investigations are ongoing to establish the relationship between Matijasevic and the homicide victim.
Laguna Hills
A man involved in a fatal shooting in Carlsbad was shot dead by police in Laguna Hills early Saturday morning. Andre Anthony Matijasevic, 31, of Rancho Santa Margarita, engaged in a shootout with law enforcement outside an In-N-Out Burger following a pursuit stemming from the earlier homicide incident.
The events that led to the shootout began around 9:53 p.m. on Friday when Carlsbad police received reports of gunfire at an apartment complex located in the 2300 block of Rising Glen Way. Upon arrival, officers found a woman with multiple gunshot wounds. She was later pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene. Authorities confirmed that the woman’s vehicle, a maroon Kia Sorento, had been stolen during the incident.
The Carlsbad Police Department quickly disseminated the vehicle’s license plate number to local jurisdictions, prompting a rapid response across the region. At 12:18 a.m. Saturday, a license plate reader in Laguna Beach detected the stolen vehicle entering the area. Newport Beach Police spotted the vehicle approximately 37 minutes later and initiated a pursuit when the driver failed to stop.
The chase concluded at the intersection of El Toro Road and Avenida De La Carlota, where Matijasevic exited the vehicle and began firing at police. Officers from both Newport Beach and Irvine Police Departments returned fire, resulting in Matijasevic being struck. He was subsequently transported to Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
A semiautomatic handgun, equipped with a wrapped grip and flashlight, was found near Matijasevic’s body, indicating he was armed during the encounter. Thankfully, no police officers sustained injuries during the shootout, which caused panic among patrons present at the In-N-Out Burger as the incident unfolded around 1 a.m..
While the investigation continues, authorities have confirmed that bullet holes were found in police vehicles, suggesting that Matijasevic fired at law enforcement. Investigators also noted that it would take time to determine the exact number of shots fired and to clarify who initiated the gunfire during the chaotic confrontation.
As of now, the relationship between Matijasevic and the homicide victim remains unclear, but the investigation into both incidents is ongoing. Law enforcement officials are working diligently to piece together the details behind these tragic events.
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Additional Resources
- 10 News
- Wikipedia: Homicide
- NBC San Diego
- Google Search: Deadly carjacking in Orange County
- CBS News
- Google Scholar: Orange County police shooting
- ABC7
- Encyclopedia Britannica: police chase
- KTLA
- Google News: Laguna Hills shooting
- Los Angeles Times
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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.
