Banning Man was Alleged Gunman in Pursuit, CHP Officer-Involved Shooting

A Banning man was identified Thursday as the suspect who allegedly brandished a weapon before he was shot and wounded by California Highway Patrol officers Tuesday in L.A. County at the end of a pursuit.

Arthur Reyes, 20, of Banning, remained custody in Los Angeles County, a homicide sergeant with the L.A. County Sheriff's Department told Banning-Beaumont Patch.

Thomas Cline, 19, of Hemet, was identified as the driver of the vehicle that reached speeds approaching 100 miles per hour between Banning and the city of Industry. Cline also remained in custody, Sgt. Steve Rubino of the L.A. County sheriff's Homicide Bureau said Thursday afternoon.

Information about a third suspect, who was also wounded in the officer-involved shooting, was not released. He was not arrested, Rubino said.

Booking photos of Reyes and Cline were not available as of Thursday afternoon.

The pursuit began about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Banning, when a Banning police officer spotted a vehicle traveling south on 8th Street, approaching West Ramsey Street, said a statement released by Chief of Police Leonard Purvis.

The driver of the suspect vehicle exited a gas station "in an unsafe manner," then began weaving in and out of a lane for several blocks, and the officer believed the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police said.

The officer initiated a traffic stop in the area of 16th and Ramsey, the driver failed to yield, and a vehicle pursuit was initiated, police said.

Banning police pursued the vehicle through Banning, Beaumont and Cherry Valley, then onto the 60 Freeway, police said.

Banning police stayed with the pursuit into west Moreno Valley, where the California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit near the 60 junction with the 215 Freeway, police said.

The suspects fled at speeds up to 100 mph and continued westbound on the 60 Freeway into L.A. County, according to the CHP. The chase ended about 7:20 p.m. when the suspect vehicle stopped just north of the 60 Freeway in unincorporated Industry, east of the San Gabriel River.

"The driver suddenly exited and ran from the car, but was detained nearby," Deputy Benjamin Grubb of the L.A. County sheriff's Headquarters Bureau said in a statement.

A front passenger exited the vehicle brandishing a pistol, and four CHP officers fired at the suspect, striking him, Grubb said. Numerous rounds struck the back of the suspects' car, and a rear passenger suspect was also wounded.

"Both wounded suspects were transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries," Grubb said.

The driver was arrested and the suspect's weapon was recovered at the scene, Grubb said.

No officers were injured. The Los Angeles County sheriff's Homicide Bureau was investigating.

CHP officials in Los Angeles and Santa Fe Springs referred questions to the L.A. County sheriff's department.