Police Shoot and Kill Suspect After High-Speed Chase in Anaheim

ANAHEIM, CA

A high-speed chase in Anaheim concluded with the police shooting and killing a suspect following a reported shooting at a local motel. Bodycam footage released by the Anaheim Police Department captured the dramatic exchange that led to the death of the driver.

The incident began on the evening of April 16 at approximately 7:45 p.m. when police received a report of gunfire at the Kona Motel, located on Brookhurst Street. Responding officers found a man outside the motel who was visibly injured, claiming he had been shot in the stomach.

Quickly shifting focus to locate the shooter, law enforcement identified a white Chevrolet Silverado truck, believed to be driven by the assailant involved in the motel shooting. As the pursuit commenced, night-vision aerial footage revealed police attempting to force the truck onto the sidewalk, creating a dramatic scene as the driver weaved through traffic to evade capture.

In the ensuing chase, law enforcement officers executed a successful Precision Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver that effectively halted the truck on an empty street in Santa Ana. In a tense standoff, officers ordered the driver, later identified as 51-year-old Danny Lee Cuelho from La Habra, to exit the vehicle. However, as he allegedly refused and was suspected to be armed, officers opened fire.

Bodycam footage shows multiple shots being fired, which tragically resulted in Cuelho’s death. After removing him from the vehicle, police administered CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the truck was detained without harm, and preliminary investigations showed a handgun inside the truck—later confirmed to be the weapon used in the earlier shooting incident.

As the situation unfolded, multiple witnesses reported hearing a series of gunshots, creating an atmosphere of fear and anxiety. Neighborhood individuals expressed concern over the violent nature of the confrontation, which unfolded in a public area.

In response to the shooting, an investigation into the use of force has been initiated by the appropriate authorities. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will review the incident to determine the legality of the officers’ actions during the encounter. Concurrently, the California Department of Justice is also evaluating the case due to the presence of a firearm in the suspect’s vehicle.

This incident marks another instance of escalating tensions in police-related confrontations, raising questions about public safety and law enforcement protocols. Anaheim police officials are expected to provide further updates as the investigation continues and more information becomes available. Community members are encouraged to stay informed about the developments surrounding this case as authorities strive to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement activities.