Anaheim police kill 2 suspects in 2 days

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ANAHEIM, Calif., July 23 (UPI) -- The killing of a gunman who fired on police was the second fatal shooting by Anaheim, Calif., police in two days, officials confirmed Monday.

The Orange County (Calif.) Register said the latest shooting occurred at the end of a stolen car chase late Sunday. Officers were pursuing a known gang member in a stolen car when the driver lost control and two men and a women fled on foot.

"The officers were in foot pursuit for about a half-block when one male suspect fired at the officers," Police Sgt. Dunn said. "The officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was dead at the scene."

The Register said a gun was found next to the body. A second male suspect was arrested, but the female got away, police said.

It was not immediately known if the gunman killed was the gang member, the newspaper said.

Meanwhile, two police officers have been placed on paid leave after an earlier shooting. One of the officers fatally shot an unarmed man as the suspect attempted to flee on foot in a residential alleyway.

Manuel Angel Diaz, 25, of Santa Ana, was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Police said Diaz was a "documented gang member." He was was shot after officers saw three men near a car engaged in what police thought was suspicious activity, the Register reported.

All three fled on foot. Police said Diaz began throwing unidentified objects onto rooftops as he ran.

But what led to one of the officers shooting Diaz remained unclear, the newspaper said. Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait said he asked the California attorney general's office to assist in the investigation.