Woodland Hills standoff: Armed pursuit suspect shot by police

Woodland Hills standoff: Armed woman in custody after pursuit

A woman was arrested after a pursuit and standoff with LAPD in the San Fernando Valley.

LOS ANGELES - A woman driving in a white van who led authorities on a police chase across the San Fernando Valley Monday morning was taken into custody after a shooting involving police officers, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. 

Timeline:

Around 7:15 a.m., police were called to Norm's restaurant on Sherman Way near Woodman Ave. in Van Nuys after people saw bullet holes in a white van.

Police said officers were attempting to talk to the suspect, 42-year-old Claudia Corugedo, when they learned she had a felony warrant for her arrest. When they tried to detain her, she resisted and removed what appeared to be a black semiautomic pistol and pointed it at her throat, then fled… initiating a pursuit. 

By 7:56 a.m., it appeared Corugedo had pulled over in a cul-de-sac area of Tarzana. However, she then sped off and continued driving on surface streets, running red lights and driving on the wrong side of the road as several patrol vehicles tailed the van.

Just after 8 a.m., Corugedo had entered a residential neighborhood in Woodland Hills, near Delita and Del Moreno drives. 

A few minutes later, Corugedo was seen driving on the curb for a short time in order to avoid spike strips set by officers. A large dog was also seen sticking its head out of the driver's side window.

LAPD in pursuit of armed suspect in San Fernando Valley

There are reportedly several animals inside the van with the female driver.

Standoff between suspect and officers 

Corugedo eventually pulled over in a cul-de-sac near Arcana Road and Marmora Street, where the barricade situation ensued. 

During the standoff, Corugedo continued to point the pistol at her throat and was armed with a 
large machete, according to authorities. 

For over 45 minutes, Corugedo negotiated with officers while lying down on someone's front porch. 

"She was screaming she didn't want to die today, but she had a gun to her head and she got on top of her van," said resident Erin Hallasy. 

"She had a big gun, like a big sniper gun and a knife on her back and she was yelling a lot," added resident Katarina Escalante. 

The standoff ended around 10:15 a.m., after the woman was shot by police as she walked toward the front door of a home while still holding the pistol and machete. 

Corugedo was struck by gunfire and collapsed near the home's entryway. She was taken into custody and transported to a hospital in critical condition.

She was eventually booked for two charges - felony evading and vehicle code. 

There were no other reported injuries.

Family describes mental health crisis 

Dig deeper:

Corugedo had three dogs with her in the car. Animal control captured two of the dogs; the third one ran up a hill into someone's yard. They plan to return later to capture the third dog. All are healthy and friendly. Animal control said the dogs have been in their shelter before. They said the woman retrieved them after suffering another mental health episode. 

Someone who identified herself as Corugedo's sister said today's apparent breakdown isn't the first, and has been living with mental health issues her whole life.

"She doesn't believe that she needs help. Her psychiatrist told me that those kind of people are wrong to treat because they don't believe they have anything wrong with them and if they do they can overcome it themselves," the sister told FOX 11. 

Corugedo pparently went to Woodland Hills because that's where her family lives. But she has been living in the van for a while. 

Family said it's frustrating to have her committed, only to see her leave after the mandatory 48-hour hold.