Authorities say the vehicle involved in Tuesday’s high-speed chase that began in Scottsboro, Alabama, and ended in a standoff in downtown Rainsville was reported stolen out of Walker County, Georgia.
Police say the incident began when Scottsboro officers located a stolen vehicle using a license plate reader, which alerted them that the car had been reported stolen in Georgia.
Investigators say the suspect fled from officers, leading them on a high-speed pursuit reaching speeds near 100 miles per hour before striking another vehicle at the Rainsville Crossing intersection.
The chase ended near a McDonald’s and Taco Bell in Rainsville, where officers discovered the suspect was armed and backed off while attempting to negotiate.
According to Rainsville Police Chief Michael Edmondson, officers spent about 30 to 45 minutes negotiating with the suspect, who fired several rounds inside the vehicle before shooting himself.
The suspect was transported to a hospital in Chattanooga and is reported to be in stable condition. No other injuries were reported.
The vehicle involved in the chase was a Kia Sorento stolen Saturday, March 7th from a gas station in Walker County, Georgia.
The owner, David Armstrong, said the SUV contained his construction equipment and represented his livelihood as a single father of three.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and more information about the suspect may be released as the case develops.