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Police: Suspect In Jail Standoff Shot Himself In The Jaw

CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) — Authorities in eastern New Mexico say a standoff at the Curry County Adult Detention Center ended when a prisoner shot and wounded himself with a gun he earlier pulled out while being booked into the jail.

The sheriff's office says 28-year-old Wesley Flores has life-threatening injuries after shooting himself in the jaw Thursday evening following four hours of unsuccessful negotiations.

Flores is hospitalized in Lubbock, Texas.

Flores was originally taken into custody on a warrant for failure to appear in court.

The standoff began about 2:45 p.m. Thursday when Flores took a detention center officer hostage at gunpoint. They were confined inside a secure area adjacent to the jail's booking room.

Authorities negotiated with the man, resulting in two deputies bringing the guard to safety. No jail personnel were injured.

Sheriff Wesley Waller said in a statement issued Friday that Flores refused to come out. Waller says Flores made statements indicating that he was going to die. Flores disabled the surveillance camera inside the room, turned out the lights and quit communicating with the negotiator.

Waller said authorities tried to subdue Flores with pepper spray but the suspect then shot himself.

It wasn't clear where Flores got the weapon or whether he was searched after initially being arrested. Authorities said the incident remains under investigation.