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Sgt. Daniel Mejia, a Chandler police spokesman, talks about a situation that began at a Super 8 motel on May 12, 2017.
Conner Borgelt/The Republic

An armed man believed to start a fire at a Chandler Super 8 motel Friday afternoon was found unresponsive by police at a nearby business after he shot himself, police said.

Sgt. Daniel Mejia, a Chandler police spokesman said the officers made entry to a business nearly a half-mile from the motel where the man was believed to be hiding. 
Mejia said the man suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was transported to the hospital. 

His condition remains unknown. 

A search for the man forced police to close roads near Interstate 10 and Chandler Boulevard around noon Friday.

Mejia said police were called to a room fire at the Super 8 motel, located at the corner of Chandler Boulevard and 54th Street. 

Police saw a man believed to be armed fleeing the area, attempted to contact him, and saw him enter a nearby business. 

They believe he may be the person who was responsible for starting the fire, and officers set up a perimeter at the location where he was last seen.

No injuries at the motel were reported and all employees of the business were accounted for, Mejia said. 

Police were attempting to make contact with the man before discovering he’d shot himself. 

Chandler police have urged motorists to avoid the area as multiple emergency vehicles are in the general vicinity.

“Our number one priority is the safety of citizens, so we’re asking people not to be in this general area while we conduct our operation.”

Investigators were working to identify the man.

Police said it could be hours before the scene would be cleared. 

Return to azcentral.com for updates.

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