Police say Girard man dead after self-inflicted gunshot following police chase

A Girard man who was in an hours-long chase on Friday died after a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a Saturday morning press release from Liberty Township police.

Police said Tyler Welsh, 30, was sought by several departments in connection with an armed robbery at 12:50 p.m. at the Expresso Market on East Liberty Street in Girard.

According to police reports, a Mountain Dew, Marlboro’s and $600-750 in cash were stolen from the business.

When police said the pursuit started

Police said Niles police spotted Welsh’s car and pursued it. Reports indicated that Liberty police joined the pursuit when the vehicle entered the township at 3:16 p.m.

Police said the pursuit ended in Youngstown after Welsh demonstrated “a complete disregard for public safety.”

Liberty Township police said the pursuit continued at 5:10 p.m. when officers saw Welsh driving the same vehicle.

After police said he didn’t stop for officers, they pursued the vehicle.

What happened after the pursuit ended?

They followed him to an area along Youngstown Hubbard Road around 5:30 p.m.

Police said he held a gun to his head when he went to a vacant house. When he went into the vacant house, police say he had a gun to his head.

According to reports, Mahoning Valley Crisis Response Team was called to assist and a perimeter was set, but negotiations asking Welsh to leave the house were unsuccessful.

After hearing a gunshot, police said they entered the house at 6:14 p.m.

Reports indicated Welsh was found hurt but alive.

He was reportedly taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where he died Saturday morning.

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This story was originally published April 8, 2023 at 9:15 AM.