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Poway residents describe deputy involved shooting, car-chase

Neighbors in Poway were startled Thursday morning when they awoke to the sound of gunfire ringing out in a local business parking lot.

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Neighbors in Poway were startled Thursday morning when they awoke to the sound of gunfire ringing out in a local business parking lot. 

San Diego County Sheriff's deputies were called to investigate some type of suspicious activity in the business parking lot in the 13900 block of Poway Road shortly before 5:00 a.m. Within minutes of arriving on the scene, shots were fired. Deputies say a suspect managed to steal a deputy's patrol car and took off, heading eastbound on Poway Road to Espola Road. 

RELATED: Man dies following deputy-involved shooting in Poway

"About 5:00 in the morning, I heard a bunch of shots and I woke up. Probably six shots and my dog was going crazy and I made sure everything was locked in the house," said Darlene Perke, a local resident. 

The suspect later abandoned the stolen patrol car and carjacked a black SUV. Deputies continued their pursuit of the suspect, and more shots were fired, according to sheriff's officials. During this time, the suspect drove off the road and down a ravine, where deputies later found the suspect dead behind the wheel. 

"We heard there's a shooting here so they blocked the roads it's a shock for everybody. We're in Poway it's a safe neighborhood," said Jenny Nguyen, an employee at Emerald Nails. 

The eastbound lanes of Poway Road are closed along with several other streets in the area while sheriff's deputies continue their investigation, which could last hours. 

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