A Cleveland man wanted for murder took his own life during a confrontation with law enforcement on Thursday afternoon, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
William Abney, 28, was wanted on an aggravated murder charge in connection with a fatal shooting earlier this week. Authorities allege that Abney shot a man at point-blank range inside a car on the 2600 block of Saratoga Avenue on Tuesday.
The Cleveland Division of Police and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force launched a search for Abney and received information Thursday that he was in a wooded area near Pearl and Henniger roads.
Officers spotted Abney walking in the area and approached him. According to investigators, Abney pulled out a firearm as officers exited their vehicles. One officer fired at least one shot in response, but Abney then turned the gun on himself, dying by suicide.
The Cleveland Division of Police is conducting an investigation into the officer-involved shooting as part of standard protocol.