Gunman Holed Up in North Hollywood Neighborhood

An man suspected of making criminal threats and carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle led police on a chase today on surface streets and freeways from El Sereno to North Hollywood, where he got out of the car and ran into a neighborhood, setting off a search and possibly barricade situation.

The chase began about 10:15 a.m. in the 4900 block of Axtell Street in the El Sereno area, according to Los Angeles police Officer Wendy Reyes of the Media Relations office.

The pursuit covered various surface streets near downtown Los Angeles for about 45 minutes, and then moved from the Hollywood (101) Freeway to the northbound Pasadena (110) Freeway, and onto the northbound Golden State (5) Freeway.

California Highway Patrol Sgt. Denise Joslin told CBS2 that the suspect may have been involved in domestic violence.

About 11:30 a.m., the suspect stopped on a surface street, and the man -- armed with a rifle -- got out and ran into a neighborhood in the 11600 block of Hartsook Street. At one point, he climbed onto a rooftop and appeared to rest before climbing down, possibly making his way inside a home.

Nearby Oakwood School and Colfax Avenue Elementary School were placed on lockdown, and police set up a perimeter in the area. North Hollywood High School was also placed on lockdown, although only faculty and staff are on the campus.

The LAPD has set up a perimeter between Magnolia Boulevard and Otsego Street, from Colfax to Irvine avenues. Officers urged residents to remain indoors as the search continued.

No injuries were immediately reported.

— City News Service