OCEANSIDE, Calif. -- An investigation was under way Thursday in the death of a suspected auto thief fatally shot by an Oceanside police officer after allegedly trying to run over the lawman, police said.

The shooting occurred Wednesday morning in an apartment complex parking lot at 950 W. Taylor St. in Vista, according to Oceanside police Sgt. Leonard Mata.

The Medical Examiner's office identified the suspect as Josue Garcia, 23, whose parents live in Vista.

Garcia was driving a blue Chrysler PT Cruiser that had been reported stolen Wednesday morning near Libby Lake Park, Mata said.

A city water department employee heard a police radio broadcast describing the vehicle at 8:36 a.m., and spotted the PT Cruiser about five minutes later, Mata said.

The employee called police, and a motorcycle officer saw the Chrysler entering the Vista apartment complex driveway, Mata said.

"The suspect tried to run the officer over," Mata said.

The officer opened fire, fatally wounding Garcia, who was alone in the vehicle, Mata said.