A car-theft suspect was shot and killed by police at a Concord shopping center at the end of a chase and several carjacking attempts, authorities said Thursday.

Jose Ramiro Avalos, 26, of Concord was a “multiple convicted felon” and on probation for being a felon in possession of a firearm, said Concord police Lt. David Hughes.

The incident began about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when Contra Costa County sheriff’s deputies began chasing a stolen Honda Accord west on Highway 4.

Avalos exited onto Port Chicago Highway and continued into downtown Concord, briefly drove the wrong way on Highway 242 and ended up at the Sunvalley Shopping Center west of Interstate 680, where he abandoned his car in the mall’s parking structure, police said. A gun was later found near the vehicle, Hughes said.

Avalos ran to the Willows Shopping Center at 1975 Diamond Blvd. on the other side of the freeway, where he tried unsuccessfully to carjack two cars before finally stealing a third, Hughes said.

“Before he could escape out of the lot, the suspect was confronted by Concord police officers in the rear parking lot of the shopping center,” near an REI store, Hughes said.

Avalos rammed the carjacked vehicle into a police car, prompting officers to open fire, Hughes said. He was shot several times and died at the scene. No officers were hurt.

The officers who fired their guns weren’t identified. One has eight years with the department, the other three, Hughes said. Both are on routine administrative leave pending investigations by several law enforcement agencies and the district attorney’s office.

Avalos’ death will also be the subject of a coroner’s inquest.

Henry K. Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: hlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @henryklee