GARDENA, Calif. – Police shot and critically wounded a carjacking suspect who ran into a crowded casino early Friday and took two patrons hostage.
The man hijacked a luxury car on Thursday and led police on a 30-minute chase after they spotted the vehicle early Friday, authorities said.
With the car still rolling, the man jumped out at the Hustler Casino (search), a Gardena card club owned by Hustler magazine mogul Larry Flynt (search).
The suspect shot at police officers in the casino's parking lot, but no one was hit, Los Angeles Police Department (search) Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said.
The gunman then ran into the crowded casino and took a hostage. He later released the hostage, but took another, police said.
An LAPD officer shot the suspect in the head, McDonnell said. The man was in critical condition at a hospital Friday, McDonnell said.
No one else was hurt. Patrons and casino employees poured out of the casino when they heard shots being fired.
"Up to 1,000 patrons were inside the casino when the suspect ran inside with a weapon, so you can imagine the chaotic situation," McDonnell said.
The casino was closed as police reviewed footage from a security camera and interviewed dozens of witnesses.
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