Winnetka Man, 21, Shot By CHP During Northridge Chase Identified

WINNETKA, CA — A 21-year-old man shot and killed by California Highway Patrol deputies during a chase in Winnetka this week was publically identified Friday.

Seijah Rivera was killed early Wednesday when he fled officers in a work van from Northridge to the Winnetka area where he lived. Authorities have not publically said why they were chasing Rivera.

The chase began at about 2:30 a.m. in the 7200 block of Sunnybrae Avenue where California Highway Patrol officers attempted to stop a man in a work van. The driver attempted to flee, but he turned into a cul-de-sac and got out of the van holding a handgun, Fox 11 reported.

That's when the officers shot the man.

According to NBC Los Angeles, the Rivera's family said he was driving his father's work van when police pursued him. He lived in the area where he was killed. Neighbors reported hearing several shots fired.

"There was a crash, and I heard officers shouting, 'Get on the ground, get on the ground,'" witness Stuart Smith told NBC. "And then, must have been about, I think, about 16 shots."

A CHP spokesperson refused to say why officers chased the driver in the first place Wednesday.