LPD: Man commits suicide inside police cruiser in southeast Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Lincoln Police Department is investigating after a man took his own life while in police custody, according to LPD.

Just before 8 p.m. Sunday, officers were sent to a disturbance at a home near 56th Street and Pioneers Boulevard.

According to LPD, a man in his 40s was having a mental health crisis.

When officers arrived, the man was trying to enter the home through the basement window.

The man was arrested and searched before he was seated in the back of a police cruiser, LPD said.

While the officers were interviewing witnesses, he used a firearm in his possession to shoot himself.

LPD said he was able to move his hands to the front of his body, where he pulled the gun from inside his pants.

Despite immediate lifesaving measures by officers and Lincoln Fire & Rescue at the scene, LPD said the man died at a local hospital.

The identity of the man is not being released at this time pending family notification.

No officers were injured in the shooting, and the officer whose cruiser was involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, as required by LPD General Orders.

According to LPD, the shooting was captured on body-worn and cruiser cameras.

Because Tuesday is a federal holiday, LPD said it won’t share any more information until Wednesday.

This is a developing story. Check back with Channel 8 for updates.