(Chadron, Neb.)- A 40-year old Minatare man is dead, after leading Dawes County Deputies on a short pursuit, then taking his own life in an apparent suicide.

Just after 11:00 p.m., (MDT), Tuesday, June 26, a man identified as Chad Sorensen, 40, Minatare, brandished a handgun at Deputies in the 200 block of Main Street in Crawford.  Sorenson then fled the area in a 2007 Honda Civic. Deputies attempted to stop Sorenson and a low speed pursuit with speeds of 35 mph ensued.

At approximately 11:17 p.m., (MDT), Sorenson stopped the vehicle in the southbound lane of Highway 2/71, approximately two miles south of Crawford.  The Dawes County Deputies, with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol and the Chadron Police Department, set up a perimeter around the vehicle and attempted to make contact with Sorenson.

Just after 3:00 a.m., (MDT), Wednesday, June 27, law enforcement officers using a tactical shield were able to approach the vehicle where they discovered Sorenson dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Nebraska State Patrol Investigative Services Division is conducting the investigation and will forward reports once completed to the Dawes County Attorney.   An autopsy will be conducted. State law requires a Grand Jury be convened whenever anyone dies while in the process of apprehension or in the custody of law enforcement.

Law enforcement was assisted by the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) in closing Highway 2/71, during the incident and subsequent investigation. Highway 2/71 was reopened to traffic at approximately 7:00 a.m., (MDT).