UPDATED: Man dies from self-inflicted gunshot wound after holding a woman at gunpoint

Posted on February 26, 2016

By Adam Studzinski and Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – Police say a man from New Hampshire was holding a woman at gunpoint before he fled the scene and eventually shot himself.

Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner said in a press release a woman called police around 10:30 a.m. Friday because because she was being held at gunpoint in North Normal.

The suspect, 57-year-old David Lenzen, left the scene and officers eventually located his vehicle on Towanda Avenue.

Bleichner said Lenzen sped up once officers tried to stop him, but he eventually stopped near the intersection of Towanda Avenue and Rowe Drive in Bloomington. That’s when officers heard the single gun shot from inside his vehicle.

Lenzen was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 11:15 a.m.. An autopsy is planned.

The road near the scene of Towanda Avenue and Fleetwood Drive was blocked off following the incident, but Normal Police say the area is now open again to traffic.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected]. Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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