IRVINE PD K-9 & NBPD Take Down Armed Carjacker in Deadly Laguna Hills Standoff

Laguna Hills, California — On Saturday, September 20, 2025, at approximately 12:36 a.m., Newport Beach police officers were informed of a license plate reader activation involving a stolen vehicle that was connected with a carjacking and murder that occurred a few hours earlier in the city of Carlsbad.

At approximately 12:55 a.m., Newport Beach police officers dressed in full uniform and driving marked police vehicles located that stolen vehicle near East Coast Highway and Newport Coast Drive. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was later identified as 31-year-old Andre Matijasevic, a resident of Rancho Santa Margarita. The officers attempted to stop the vehicle driven by Matijasevic, but he refused to stop. A vehicle pursuit ensued that took the officers onto the southbound 5 freeway. Newport Beach officers requested assistance and an Irvine Police Department K-9 unit joined the pursuit to assist.

The vehicle pursuit continued on Interstate 5 where Matijasevic exited onto El Toro Road in the city of Laguna Hills. After traveling through a business complex, the suspect vehicle drove east on El Toro Road approaching Avenida de la Carlota. Prior to that intersection, Matijasevic made an abrupt left turn and stopped across lanes of traffic. Matijasevic exited the vehicle and immediately began firing a handgun at the officers and their vehicles. Officers immediately returned fire. Matijasevic then began running towards a nearby restaurant which had patrons and employees inside. Matijasevic fell to the ground and continued shooting at officers. After Matijasevic stopped moving, officers approached him with the Irvine Police K-9 because he was still armed with a handgun. Matijasevic, who had been struck multiple times, was separated from his handgun and taken into custody. Officers provided medical aid until the paramedics arrived and assumed care. Matijasevic was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.