Echo Park shooting suspect in custody after freeway chase

A woman suspected in an Echo Park shooting led law enforcement on a mostly slow-speed chase Thursday into far northern Los Angeles County, where the suspect's minivan was disabled by a spike strip and she was taken into custody in the Lake Hughes area.

The chase began around 4 p.m. near Echo Park, where the Los Angeles Police Department pursued the suspect on the northbound Hollywood (101) Freeway then the northbound 170 Freeway.

The suspect drove at a slow speed into Sun Valley, exited the freeway, and began driving on Roscoe Boulevard. At one point, the driver was boxed in by police but managed to make a U-turn and weave through the patrol vehicles and drive in the opposite direction. She traveled on Arleta Avenue in Arleta before heading to the northbound Golden State (5) Freeway in Pacoima.

The driver transitioned onto the eastbound Foothill (210) Freeway, exited near Yarnell Street, briefly stopped, then headed back onto the westbound 210 Freeway.

LAPD officers continued pursuing the suspect on the northbound 5 Freeway toward the Newhall area, where the California Highway Patrol attempted to deploy a spike strip and eventually took over the chase in the Valencia area.

CHP officials deployed at least two more spike strips, one of which flattened the van's driver's side front tire. The suspect slowed then came to a stop on the side of the freeway near Lake Hughes Road.

The suspect eventually stopped her vehicle, opened and closed the door, and exited the minivan. She then got back in the minivan again before stepping out with her arms in the air.

She entered the vehicle a third time, possibly to control a dog inside, before stepping out once more with her hands raised, at which point CHP officials took her into custody.

There was no immediate word on the circumstances of the Echo Park shooting that prompted the chase.