'It was like a war zone:' witness describes fatal police shooting in Fremont

FREMONT, California - A man with a felony warrant for illegal possession of a gun died in a shootout with Fremont police Thursday evening at an ARCO station that was witnessed by several people pumping gas.

At 6:47 p.m. undercover officers spotted a suspect traveling as a passenger in a vehicle on northbound Fremont Boulevard. Police said the suspect had felony warrants out for his arrest for illegal possession of a gun and a probation violation.

Officers in several marked patrol vehicles arrived and with their lights and sirens on they stopped the vehicle at Fremont Boulevard and Nicolet Avenue. The driver of that car stopped, but according to police, the suspect jumped out of the car and began running northeast toward a gas station.

 At 6:52 p.m., officers broadcast that the suspect was pointing a gun at them and shots had been fired. 

Police said officers shot the suspect and he died despite life-saving efforts by officers. 

"It's really upsetting that our officers continue to be confronted in these very dangerous situations with suspects who are willing to do anything to try and get away including firing upon officers," Fremont police spokeswoman Geneva Bosques said. 

One witness who wished to remain anonymous, told KTVU that she was pumping gas when she saw police chasing a young man on foot, going around in circles. She said police shouted, "He's got a gun, he's got a gun!" and then shots were fired. 

Todd Harlan, a Lucky's vendor, described the scene as "total chaos. There was gunfire everywhere. It was like a warzone."

Added Andreah Childers: "This isn't normal for here." 

Officers allegedly found a revolver with spent casings by the suspect's side. 

No officers were injured in the shootout. 

The name of suspect is being withheld for now. The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has been notified and prosecutors are conducting a parallel investigation. 

Wire services contributed to this story.