California

Amber Alert: Boy Found Safe, Suspect Killed in Police Shooting

The suspect was killed in a police shooting in the Encino area Tuesday night

A suspect was killed Tuesday night in a police shooting in the Encino area after a confrontation with the Los Angeles Police Department following a murder and child abduction in Santa Maria, authorities said.

The shooting occurred about 6:45 p.m. in the 5500 block of Lindley Avenue near Killion Street in the Tarzana/Encino area, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Officials were unable to comment on whether or not the suspect threatened authorities with a firearm, but were able to confirm they retrieved a gun at the scene.

Authorities in Santa Barbara County earlier located an SUV believed to have been driven by a man who abducted the boy after a fatal shooting. An Amber Alert was initially issued just after midnight for a 2015 blue Volkswagen Golf hatchback, but that car was found Tuesday in Santa Maria.

The Amber Alert has since been canceled, CHP officials said. The 9-year-old boy was located safely. 

Authorities said that they boy and 48-year-old man were likely in a black 2017 Jeep Cherokee with license plate 7XZK698. That SUV was found abandoned in the 200 block of Lee Drive in Santa Barbara, said Sgt. Todd Johnson of the Santa Barbara Police Department.

The search began after authorities responded to a shooting at the 200 block of North College Drive and found a victim at the scene. 

The suspect, Konstantin Morozov, allegedly fatally shot his estranged wife Sunday night in their Santa Maria home then took their son, Daniel Morozov.

A motive for the shooting was not immediately clear. 

Authorities identified Konstantin Morozov, 48, as a person of interest in the case. He is described as 6-feet tall, 180 pounds and with brown hair and brown eyes.

Morozov was considered armed and dangerous.

The boy was identified as 9-year-old Daniel Morozov, according to Ventura California Highway Patrol. He is described as 4-foot-5-inches tall, 90 pounds with has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans.

The child is in custody of officials at the West Valley station, waiting for the Department of Children and Family Services to get involved.

No nlood relatives of the boy have been located.

Authorities advised anyone who saw the individuals to not approach them, but call officials instead. Authorities said they believe Morozov was a flight risk, so international airports and border crossings were advised of the alert. 

City News Service contributed to this report. 

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