SEEKONK, Mass. (WPRI) ─ A police pursuit took an unexpected turn Thursday afternoon when the suspect got out of his vehicle and shot himself, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Police said the chase began when a trooper attempted to pull him over on Route 6 in Swansea after receiving a report that he had pulled out a firearm. The man refused to stop and sped off through Rehoboth and into Seekonk.

A few minutes later, officers were able to stop him further down Route 6. At that point, police said the man got out of his car, pulled out a handgun and shot himself.

The suspect, a 38-year-old Seekonk man, was transported to Rhode Island Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Why he shot himself remains unclear at this time, along with why he was wanted by police. The incident remains under investigation.