Four people are dead after a series of shootings and carjackings early Tuesday near the 55 Freeway in southern California's Orange County that began after the shooting death of a woman at a home.
Map: Shooting Investigation Locations
The gunman, identified as a man in his 20s, was among the deceased, according to Orange County authorities.
"There are no other shooters and there is no threat to the community," Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino told NBCLA.
Investigators responded to at least five locations in connection with the shootings, including a home in Ladera Ranch. The body of a woman was discovered at the home at about 4:45 a.m.
The victim was "shot multiple times," Amormino said. The victim's identity and her relationship with the gunman might be provided at a 2 p.m. news conference, he added.
Responding deputies were notified the gunman left the residence in a black sport utility vehicle.
The police response in the Tustin area began with a carjacking and shots fired report at about 5:10 a.m. near Red Hill and Nisson Road, just off the 5 Freeway. A bystander shot during the carjacking suffered non-life threatening injuries, according to Tustin police.
A second shooting and carjacking was reported near the 55 Freeway at Village Way in Santa Ana. The carjacking victim was killed in what police described as an execution.
"He confronted our victim, who was in his BMW, and ordered him out of the vehicle," said Santa Ana Police Corporal Anthony Bertagna. "He walks him to the side of the curb and executes our victim."
Aerial video showed a pickup and several patrol vehicles on the exit ramp from the 55 Freeway.
The gunman drove to a nearby Micro Center electronics store parking near Edinger Avenue and Newport Avenue in the victim's BMW, police said. Officers discovered two carjacking victims, one of whom was pronounced dead at the scene just east of the 55 Freeway.
The second carjacking victim was hospitalized in critical condition.
Rounds also were discharged when the gunman was on the 55 Freeway, Tustin police said. Three victims reported gunfire on the freeway, police said, but it was not immediately clear whether the rounds were discharged from the vehicle.
"It appears the suspect pulled his vehicle over at some point and either was firing as he was driving or got out of his vehicle and fired," said Tustin Lt. Paul Garaven.
The quickly developing situation came to an end in Orange, where officers located the subject in a stolen vehicle.
"When a stop was initiated, the suspect shot and killed himself," according to a Tustin police statement.
A shotgun was recovered at the location, Amormino said.