(June 7, 2008)- An early morning high-speed chase Saturday from Bell County to Travis County led to the discovery of a number of explosive devices, ammunition, a large rifle and a handgun in the car of a Morgan's Point man.
At about 1:45 a.m., Morgan's Point Police came across a suspicious vehicle near the fuel tanks at the Morgan's Point Marina.
A man inside the red late-model Ford Mustang was ducking down and officers say he was reaching under the seat.
As a safety procedure, officers started to back away from the vehicle before the driver took off in the car.
A chase ensued through neighborhoods in Temple, through State Highway 317 into Belton, then onto Southbound I-35 through Williamson County and Travis County.
Belton Police, State Troopers and Williamson County and Travis County deputies all assisted in the chase.
The chase finally ended south of Austin when the suspect crashed his vehicle.
When officers approached the man, the suspect shot himself in the face, police said.
He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for surgery.
The Austin Bomb Squad was called to the scene after explosives, ammunition and weapons were found in the vehicle.
Officials dismantled the devices.
Fort Hood’s Explosive Ordinance Detachment Team was dispatched to the man’s residence at 16 Hawthorne Court in Morgan's Point at about 6:15 a.m.
Nearly 60 homes were evacuated in the area including those of several medically challenged and elderly residents.
The United States Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms dispatched a field agent, a bomb tech and a bomb-detecting dog to the scene.
The Morgan's Point Fire Department and Scott & White EMS were also sent to the scene along with a prosecutor from the Bell County District Attorney’s Office.
At about 10:30 a.m., a warrant was served and evidence was gathered from the man’s residence.
All neighbors evacuated were allowed to return to their homes at about 12:30 p.m., Saturday.
The suspect, a 48-year-old male whose name is not being released at this time, is reportedly still in surgery.
Charges are pending against the Morgan's Point resident.
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