LAMAR COUNTY, Alabama — One man is dead after an inter-state car chase ended in an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Sunday car chase began in Alabama, crossed state lines into Lowndes County and ended back in Alabama with the suspect needing medical attention to a gunshot wound.
Juan Martinez, 30 of Vernon, Alabama, was identified as the deceased, a press release from Director of External Affairs at Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Amanda Wasden said.
Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant confirmed a victim from the pursuit was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle after 7 p.m. Sunday.
“It happened just across the Alabama line,” Merchant told The Dispatch. “He died from a gunshot wound to the head. They were able to stop him inside the state of Alabama, and then he was transported by Lamar County ambulance back into Mississippi, back to Baptist where he was treated before he died.”
The chase began when Vernon Police Department and deputies with the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle after receiving a reckless driving call. Sheriff Marty Gottwald said ALEA was handling the case.
The ALEA press release said LPD requested ALEA State Bureau of Investigation to launch a death investigation stemming from the pursuit.
ALEA did not give information regarding speeds or length of the pursuit or whether gunfire was exchanged. The agency did say no law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
“Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing,” the press release from ALEA said. “Once complete, the findings will be turned over to the Lamar County District Attorney’s Office.”
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