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Man Dies of Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound While in Police Squad

July 20, 2023 8:45p; Update 7-21 1a

(WGTD)---A man who'd been taken into custody for weapons offenses apparently shot himself to death while riding in the back of a Pleasant Prairie squad car Thursday afternoon. 

According to a social media post from the department, the man used a concealed gun that officers had failed to detect before he was placed in the car.

Just seconds before the squad arrived at the east entrance to the county jail, the two officers riding in the front heard a gunshot. Life-saving efforts were immediately begun, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Racine County Sheriff's Dept. was called in to investigate.

The southbound lanes of Sheridan Rd. near the jail entrance were closed for several hours. 

The post didn't say whether the man who shot himself had been handcuffed.

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