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.

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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.
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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.