

Sheriff's officials in central Ohio say officers investigating a marijuana growing operation confronted an armed man who fatally shot himself after a standoff.



The Pickaway County Sheriff's Office said they were searching for marijuana growing operations by helicopter on Tuesday when they came across the field in rural Ashville, south of Columbus. Officers in the helicopter also spotted a person walking on a path in dark clothing.



Officers on the ground who confronted the man say he was carrying an assault rifle and a pistol. A standoff followed, with the man refusing to drop the weapons. It ended at about 8:17 p.m. when the man fatally shot himself.



The man was identified as 42-year-old Timothy Sturgis. Sheriff's officials say he lived on the land where the marijuana was found.