Man shoots self after 4-hour standoff in Jackson County, Ala.; critical at Erlanger

Thursday, March 14, 2013

A 22-year-old man from Rosalie, Ala., was in a standoff with law enforcement officials Wednesday night near Rosalie before shooting himself in the head and then being transported to Erlanger in Chattanooga where he is in critical condition, officials said.

Jerome Lamar Wright was driving a reportedly stolen car on Highway 71 in Rosalie when law enforcement gave chase, a news release said.

The vehicle then stopped due to engine problems, the sheriff's office said, followed by a 4-hour standoff as Wright held a rifle to his head.

The release from the sheriff's office said investigators and family members attempted to talk Wright into surrendering, but that he eventually shot himself in the head while seated in the vehicle.

The release said Wright was sought for numerous arrest warrants from the sheriff's office, including burglary third, theft of property, possession of controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal mischief and harassment.