Man commits suicide during police chase, HPD says

HOUSTON – The Houston Police Department is investigating an in-custody death after a man committed suicide during a police chase late Wednesday night. 

According to investigators, a two-man HPD unit attempted to pull over Gary Leonard Blalock Jr. on the Gulf Freeway near 2351 on suspicion of DWI. As they approached the car, officers said Blalock was acting suspicious. The officer on the passenger side of Blalock's car noticed a gun tucked underneath Blalock's thigh. 

When the officer shouted "Gun," police said Blalock sped off. 

The officers chased Blalock, but temporarily lost sight of him. When they approached the interchange past the Beltway near the entrance of the Gulf Freeway, they saw that Blalock's vehicle had crashed.

Officers who approached the crashed vehicle said they found Blalock with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"They are giving out commands, and once they get to the vehicle, they realize the suspect has suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and is sitting in the front seat of the vehicle," Jodi Silva of HPD said.

Blalock, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to HPD, because officers were in pursuit of the man, the case will be investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs divisions as an in-custody death.