17-year-old burglary suspect shoots self

Lt. Kent Harmon, head of the city’s Criminal Investigation Unit, said officers responded to 62 Land Way just after noon.

He identified the suspect as Ryderrick Grier, who just a week earlier had been arrested for an attempted burglary of a house on Highland Estates. He was since charged with two other local burglaries

Harmon said the gun, a .32 pistol, was recovered, and mental health officials have been called in to counsel Grier.

"He was facing three burglary charges and he just didn't want to face them," Harmon explained. Grier allegedly attempted to shoot himself in the chest, but failed.

The department is looking into how Grier came into possession of the gun, Harmon said. He would not comment when asked if Grier is considered a suspect in a December armed robbery of a man at the car wash on North Broad Street.