Suicide of wounded car thief still a mystery

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000 | 1:31 a.m.

Deputy Police Chief Jim Weston said they have been unable to figure out why the suspected car thief took his own life after a Reno police officer shot him in the shoulder during a chase Monday afternoon.

Police have identified the 21-year-old victim, an Hispanic man from Escondido, California. But they are withholding his name while they try to locate his family.

Lt. Ron Donnelly, a 20-year veteran of the force, shot the armed man in the shoulder after the suspect led officers on a chase that ended up at an apartment complex near the Reno police headquarters.

Police said the suspect then took his pistol and shot himself in the head. Weston said they feared he might try to break into an apartment and force a hostage situation.

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