An auto-theft suspect died today after being shot by Honolulu police at Pearlridge Center.

The shooting occurred shortly after 3 p.m. on a second-floor parking level above the Denny's Restaurant at Pearlridge Center Phase III, police said.The man was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:24 p.m., according to Honolulu Emergency Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic.

At a news conference tonight, Police Chief Boisse Correa said one police officer had been dragged, another almost hit by the suspect fleeing in a stolen car and a police vehicle rammed before a fourth police officer shot and killed the man, Correa said.

The deadly confrontation involved a 47-year-old felon with 18 prior convictions and plainclothes Crime Reduction Unit officers from the Wahiawa and Pearl City districts, Correa said.

The two CRU units were in the area investigating recent home-invasion robberies and responded to the auto-theft complaint, Correa said.

Two officers were treated for minor injuries, the chief said.

All the shots were fired by one officer, a 15-year HPD veteran, who has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of separate criminal and internal investigations into the shooting, Correa said. The chief said he was told five shots were fired but at least one witness heard seven.

The standard 9mm HPD service weapon has a 15-shot magazine with another bullet in the chamber.

Correa reserved comment when asked if the suspect was armed.

The last shooting involving police occurred May 13, 2006. Tracy Peters is shot to death on Kaukama Road in Wai'anae after firing a shotgun at HPD officers. Peters was an ex-convict with more than 20 criminal convictions.