Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 Source: Bradenton Herald (FL) Copyright: 2004 Bradenton Herald Contact: http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradentonherald/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/58 Author: Aimee Juarez, Herald Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) DRUG SUSPECT DIES OF SELF-INFLICTED WOUND Bethel Clayton Buzbee III Shot Himself During A High-Speed Chase BRADENTON - Police were never able to question an area man about the guns, the syringes and the bags of heroin they said they found in his white 1998 Pontiac. Before Bradenton Police officers could confront Bethel Clayton Buzbee III, the 26-year-old ended Friday's high-speed chase by officers with a single, self-inflicted gunshot to the right side of his head while a passenger was still in the vehicle. The gun was still in his right hand when officers approached him, according to reports from the Bradenton Police Department. Police did not immediately release Buzbee's identity. He later died at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. The passenger, Mark Falkoski, 20, told police that Buzbee said he "had warrants and he was not going to jail" and that Buzbee shot himself while he was still driving, reports stated. "We've had situations similar to this in the past, but it occurs more in situations where there's a barricaded gunman or hostage and the individual will commit suicide before police can enter the premise," Bradenton Police spokesman Maj. J.J. Lewis said Tuesday. Falkoski told police that his vehicle had broken down in the 4900 block of 19th Street West and that Buzbee had offered to give him a ride that day. Buzbee made several stops for drug transactions, reports stated. A police source, who purchased $40 worth of heroin from Buzbee early Friday, informed detectives that Buzbee, who had been arrested numerous times on drug-related charges, had 20 to 25 bags of heroin in his car. A chase began along 37th Avenue West and snaked through numerous streets. At one point, Buzbee began shooting at officers, according to the reports. After Buzbee was taken to Bayfront Medical, police searched a duplex he rented in the 4900 block of 19th Street West and found two guns, multiple syringes and drug paraphernalia. While officers tend to have repeated run-ins with drug dealers, Lewis said officers did not know Buzbee. "They didn't know who he was," Lewis said. "They had no indication that he intended on harming himself." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin