SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — A 20-year-old Scranton man who died following a police pursuit that ended with state police firing into his vehicle died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to autopsy results released by Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland.
Rowland said Christian Santiago, 20, died Monday evening from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The coroner also determined Santiago “incurred no other wound(s) as the result of external gunfire during the incident.”
The finding answers a key question left unresolved following Sunday night’s pursuit and shooting near the North Scranton Expressway.
Pennsylvania State Police previously said investigators were working to determine whether the gunshot that caused Santiago’s fatal injury originated inside his vehicle or came from police gunfire.
Incident began with reported stolen rifle
According to state police, the incident began September 7 when Scranton Police investigated a burglary in which Santiago allegedly stole a .30-06 rifle from a relative’s residence.
Police said Santiago later sent a family member a photograph showing the rifle and ammunition. His family subsequently obtained an involuntary mental health commitment warrant.
Scranton Police later attempted to stop Santiago, who allegedly fled in a black Ford Focus.
At approximately 8:37 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police located Santiago’s vehicle at the Penn Can Travel Plaza in Susquehanna County.
A pursuit followed south on Interstate 81 and continued through several Lackawanna County communities.
State police eventually performed a PIT maneuver near the beginning of the North Scranton Expressway, bringing the pursuit to an end.
Gunshot heard before state police fired
During the felony vehicle stop, state police said Santiago displayed a rifle from the driver’s-side window and failed to comply with commands from law enforcement.
Investigators said a gunshot was heard from inside the vehicle.
State police then discharged rounds into Santiago’s vehicle.
Members of the Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team, Scranton Police Special Operations Group and Lackawanna County SWAT Team eventually removed Santiago from the vehicle.
He was transported to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where he later died.
At the time, PSP said its Troop R Major Case Team, Forensic Services Unit and Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist unit were working to determine the origin of the gunshot responsible for Santiago’s fatal injury.
Rowland’s autopsy findings now establish that the fatal wound was self-inflicted and that Santiago was not wounded by the external gunfire during the incident.
State police have said the investigation remains ongoing.