EAST ALTON, Ill. — A suspect was found dead early Friday morning inside an East Alton home after exchanging gunfire with police officers.
According to the East Alton Police Department, the incident began at about 7 p.m. Thursday when officers were called to investigate possible shots fired in the 200 block of Lakeside Avenue. Officers were unable to find the source of the gunshots at that time.
Then, at about 9 p.m., a resident called to complain about bullet holes at his residence in the same location, police said. While officers were at the scene locating the source of gunshots, Golike said a man fired gunshots at police who were outside his home, triggering a standoff. Officers from multiple departments returned fire at the suspect.
Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System response team was requested, and the team made numerous attempts to contact the suspect but received no response. After 4 a.m., the ILEAS team entered the home to find the suspect dead inside suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
The suspect was armed with multiple firearms, East Alton Police Chief Scott Golike told 5 On Your Side at the scene.
A squad car was struck by bullets, but no officers were injured in the incident, the chief said.
ISP was leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
5 On Your Side is working to learn more and will update this story as more information becomes available.
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