Man dies by suicide while in back of police cruiser, authorities say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN/Gray News) - A police department in Nebraska says it is investigating after a man took his own life while in police custody.

According to the Lincoln Police Department, the situation started Sunday night when officers responded to a call for a man having a mental health crisis at a home near Pioneers Boulevard.

When they arrived, officers said they found the man, in his 40s, trying to get into the home through a basement window.

The department said that officers took him into custody, searched him, and placed him in the back of a police cruiser.

However, while officers were interviewing witnesses at the scene, authorities say the man ended up shooting himself with a gun that he had in his possession.

The police department said he was able to move his hands to the front of his body and pull the gun out from inside his pants.

The man was taken to an area hospital, but did not survive his injuries.

Officials said they would release his identity after family has been notified.

No other injuries were reported.

The officers on the call have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

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