Police: Suspect shoots himself in the leg while fleeing after an accident

NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana State Police say a suspect shot himself while trying to flee from NOLA Troopers after a chase ended in a crash.

Police attempted to stop 33-year-old Christopher Mitchell and 24-year-old Eric Abdul near Elysian Fields and North Robertson Street, but they refused to stop for several blocks before crashing into a fire hydrant at the corner of Annette St. & North Johnson St., police said.

Both were caught a short time later. Mitchell had a minor gunshot wound to his leg, but police said it was caused by a weapon he was carrying. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Both suspects have been charged and investigators are trying to determine who was driving the vehicle.

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