Aurora officer exchanges gunfire with man during chase; suspect shoots himself

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) -- A man shot himself in the head Tuesday night after a police chase led to an exchange of gunfire in southwest suburban Aurora, police said. The 18-year-old man, who is from Aurora, is hospitalized in critical condition.

An officer pulled him over near North Avenue and South Fourth Street around 8:40 p.m. Police said the suspect ran from his vehicle and the officer pursued him on foot.

During the chase, the two fired shots at each other, but the suspect managed to get away. No one was hurt during that exchange.

Police eventually located the suspect in a backyard in the 200-block of South LaSalle Street. He had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, police said.

He was rushed to a hospital in Aurora, then airlifted to a different suburban hospital. His wound is considered life-threatening.

Police said a weapon was recovered from the scene. Illinois State Police are investigating.