The man who died after a gunfire exchange with Chattanooga police died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to his autopsy.
Police responded to what was initially a domestic assault call May 8 near the John A. Patten Community Center on Kelly’s Ferry Road.
According to the autopsy, Douglas Bearden’s wife called to report a domestic violence assault and told the 911 operator she would be at a nearby business to file a report. Police found Bearden in a vehicle in the parking lot with his son.
When police officers were approaching the vehicle, Bearden allegedly said he was not going back to jail and drew a gun, according to the narrative summary included in the autopsy report.
(READ MORE: TBI releases identity of man shot and killed by Chattanooga police)