One man dead following police chase Saturday on Dixie Highway

One man died by suicide Saturday afternoon after firing at officers during a police chase that ended in a cemetery on Dixie Highway, Louisville Metro Police officials say.

Officers responded to a domestic violence call in the 6100 block of Trena Trail, when they found a vehicle matching the description of the suspect, a man in his 50s, LMPD spokesman John Bradley said.

When officers tried to pull the man over, he refused to stop and sped off, Bradley said. Officers did not continue their pursuit per LMPD standard operating procedures.

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Shortly after, LMPD received calls of a reckless driver in the 10000 block of Dixie Highway. The car matched the description of the domestic violence call, Bradley said.

Officers found the car in Bethany Memorial Cemetery. When they attempted to pull over the man, he pointed a weapon at officers and drove off, according to Bradley.

During the police chase on Dixie Highway the man fired his gun at the officers, hitting the squad car, Bradley said. No officers were injured.

The chase came back at Bethany Memorial Cemetery, were the man bailed from his car and officers pursued him on foot. Shortly after being chased on foot, the man shot himself, Bradley said.

At 3:56 p.m., the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The whole chase lasted no more than 30 minutes.

Although no officers fired their weapons, Bradley said the Public Integrity Unit is investigating the case because officers were involved in the chase. 

Reach Reporter Thomas Novelly at 502-582-4465 or by email at tnovelly@courier-journal.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.