Springfield – WAND News has learned the fatal shot that killed a transient in Springfield last week may have been self-inflicted.
Preliminary investigative details revealed that at approximately 3:00 p.m., officers from the Springfield Police Department responded to a call of a possible suicidal subject on the 3400 block of Freedom Drive in Springfield.
Officers approached the suspect, identified as Douglas Smith, 25. Police say Smith was armed with a gun; after a brief verbal exchange the Smith pointed a weapon at the officers. Officers fired and struck the Smith in the leg. He then turned his gun on himself. The subject was immediately transported to Springfield Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. No other injuries were reported.
On Saturday, May 12, 2012, an autopsy of was conducted on Smith,of Bellevue, Nebraska, in Bloomington by the Sangamon County Coroner's Office. Preliminary results of Smith's autopsy indicate the cause of death to be a single gunshot wound to the head. Smith was described as a transient, possibly suicidal and in possession of a weapon.
The on-going investigation is being conducted by Zone 4 and the Sangamon County State's Attorney Office. No further information is available at this time.
