Attempted Robbery Suspect Shoots Himself In Santa Rosa
SANTA ROSA (CBS SF) -- A man killed himself as police attempted to disarm him after an apparently failed robbery in Santa Rosa Friday afternoon, according to Santa Rosa police.
Around 3:20 p.m. officers were called to the 600 block of Cherry Street for an apparent armed robbery attempt between two roommates.
The attempted robbery victim, who police identified as 46-year-old Santa Rosa resident Mark Hampton, had gotten into a wrestling match with the suspect and had been injured by the gun, which was not discharged during the attempted robbery, according to police.
The suspect left after failing to rob his roommate and was last seen allegedly waving the gun in a threatening manner before putting it into his pocket while leaving the residence and heading west on Cherry Street, according to police.
As officers approached the residence they were told the suspect
had left on foot with the gun, described as .38 caliber revolver, and was walking toward Mendocino Avenue.
While officers searched the area for the suspect they observed a man matching a description who was walking northbound on Mendocino Avenue just south of Nason Street on the east side of the street.
Officers parked south of the suspect and told him to stop and show his hands as he approached the intersection of Mendocino Avenue and Nason Street, police said.
At this point the suspect was walking away from officers with his back toward them. Police said he was attempting to pull an item from his right front pants pocket as they ordered him to show his hands.
The suspect then pulled out the gun from his pocket and shot himself in the head, police said.
Officers requested medical assistance and the suspect was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead within an hour, police said.
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