SCRANTON, PA — A 20-year-old Scranton man who died following a multi-agency police pursuit and standoff near the North Scranton Expressway died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to autopsy findings released by Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland.
The determination provides crucial clarity regarding the death of Christian Santiago following Sunday night's high-speed chase. State police initiated pursuit of Santiago's black Ford Focus after he allegedly stole a .30-06 rifle from a relative's home earlier in the day, leading family members to seek an involuntary mental health commitment warrant.
The chase spanned parts of Susquehanna and Lackawanna counties before troopers executed a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver to bring the vehicle to a halt near the interchange of Route 6 and the North Scranton Expressway.
According to investigators, Santiago pointed the rifle out of the driver-side window and refused repeated commands to surrender. Troopers fired into the vehicle after hearing a gunshot originate from inside the cabin. Santiago was extracted from the sedan and transported to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The Pennsylvania State Police Major Case Team continues to lead the active, multi-agency investigation into the incident alongside local law enforcement.
