A chaotic crash and brief chase on Detroit's west side ended in tragedy when a man apparently shot himself while running from police, authorities said. Officers quickly shut down nearby streets around the crash site, and medics pronounced the man dead at the scene.
According to police, the initial crash happened near Fenkell and Livernois. A short time later, officers spotted the man near Fenkell and Holmur, where he took off on foot. In an alley near Fenkell and Holmur, the man allegedly turned the gun on himself, and medics confirmed he had died there, investigators told The Metro Detroit News.
Foot Pursuits and Public Safety
Foot and vehicle pursuits are widely recognized as risky for everyone involved, and many model policies urge departments to weigh the urgency of catching a suspect against the danger to officers, bystanders and the suspect. The Stanford Law Use of Force Project's module on pursuits recommends alternatives such as containment, aerial support or waiting to apprehend a suspect later when a chase could raise the odds of someone getting hurt, according to Stanford Law.
Investigation Ongoing
Detroit police say the case remains under active investigation. They have not released the man's name or said whether any charges will be filed. Investigators are searching the crash site and nearby alleyways for evidence as they work to piece together what led to the pursuit and the apparent self-inflicted gunshot, The Metro Detroit News reported.
