Brief Pursuit Ends with Man Taking His Own Life

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Monday evening, Bellefontaine Police responded to a home in the 100 block of North Stanley Street.

Matthew Johnson, 38, of Bellefontaine, was seen running from the scene.

A victim reported earlier in the day that her home had been broken into and Johnson was listed as a suspect.

Officers responded to the residence and checked the area and found Johnson nearby on East Columbus Avenue.

At that time officers noted that Johnson had a gun and they called out to him.

He ignored officers and disappeared from view, behind a home.

A gunshot was heard and after a short time, officers located Johnson in a backyard, lying motionless on the ground.

He was pronounced dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Johnson was the defendant of an ongoing felony sex case that involved a victim who resided at the North Stanley Street home.

Bellefontaine Medics and the Logan County Coroner assisted at the scene.