7/2/2007 10:00:00 AM

Man dies from self-inflicted gunshot David Amey Staff Writer SOUTH BLOOMFIELD - A Chillicothe man apparently shot himself while being chased by South Bloomfield police officers Friday night. Michael A. Morrison, 37, was pronounced dead at Berger Hospital, according to Pickaway County Sheriff Dwight Radcliff, whose office continued to investigate the incident with the Pickaway County Coronor's Office. "Our communication center received a cellular 911 call 8:55 p.m. Friday reporting a southbound driver on U.S. Route 23 in a black pickup truck was pointing a gun," Radcliff said. Since the incident was occurring north of South Bloomfield, the village police were notified immediately and spotted the truck two minutes later passing through. Two South Bloomfield units attempted a traffic stop in the area of Bloomfield Hills, but the truck continued south before stopping in the area of Little Walnut. "The South Bloomfield officers approached the vehicle with caution and their weapons drawn," he said, "ordering the man to exit the vehicle. But they observed no movement from the suspect." "As the officers reached the cab of the truck, the saw the suspect slumped over and it became evident the suspect had a gun shot wound to the head," he said. Morrison was transported to Berger Hospital by the Harrison Township EMS, and southbound traffic was deadlocked for several hours. The investigation is headed by Lt. Robert Radcliff and Sgt. William Crooks of the Sheriff's Office. After the vehicle was impounded, they found a motel receipt from the Chillicothe area in the cab of the vehicle. Police in that city entered the room and discovered a suicide note, Radcliff said. Apparently, Chillicothe Police had investigated Morrison several weeks ago on a suicide attempt apparently linked too domestic troubles.