7 day forecast
19-year-old kills self following police chase in Butler
Share with others:
A driver chased by police into the Cranberry Commons shopping center early Saturday shot himself while behind the wheel, sending his car crashing into a Lane Bryant clothing store.
The driver, identified as Lagene Lawson, 19, of New Castle, led Adams officers on a chase after they tried to pull him over for speeding on Route 228 near Mars Area High School around 3:15 a.m., according to police.
Cranberry police had been called for backup when Mr. Lawson turned into Cranberry Commons and fired a single gunshot, killing himself. The car continued moving, slamming into the clothing store. A small fire began beneath the vehicle but officers quickly extinguished it.
An autopsy confirmed that the shot was self-inflicted, said Larry Barr, deputy coroner for Butler County.
Court records show that Mr. Lawson was wanted by New Castle police on charges of aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person. The New Castle News reported last month that Lawson was an accomplice in a drive-by shooting near St. Paul's Church.
Police continue to investigate.
First Published August 5, 2012 12:00 am
