Medical examiner: Walmart robbery suspect shot himself

SPANAWAY, Wash. – Authorities say an armed man who robbed a Walmart store in Spanaway early Monday died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was not fatally shot by deputies as initially thought.

KOMO-TV reported an autopsy and further investigation determined that the 30-year-old man from Graham shot himself as he fled from deputies, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department said the man robbed cashiers at the Walmart on Mountain Highway.

The sheriff’s department said a deputy arrived as the suspect was leaving the store. The man refused to show his hands and charged at the deputy and two deputies opened fire on the suspect.

The suspect then ran.

Officials said the suspect was found dead near a gas station with a gun and cash.