Police chase that stretched from Opelika into Georgia ends with suicide

Opelika police say a police chase that stemmed from a domestic dispute and welfare check has ended with the suspect’s suicide in Georgia.

Police say around 12:20 this afternoon, they responded to a domestic violence call on Andrews Road. They say a woman was worried about the safety of her child after saying she was assaulted by the child’s father.

Police say the father, identified as 39-year-old Justin Scott Roberts, had taken the child and drove off in his pickup truck.

Police say they tried to stop the truck, but Roberts refused to stop, leading them on a chase through Opelika, which continued onto Interstate 85 into Georgia. While Opelika police gave up their pursuit, they say Alabama and Georgia state agencies followed him.

Just after 1:20PM, Georgia State Troopers used a PIT maneuver to stop the truck. Police say that before state troopers could approach the truck, Roberts shot and killed himself.

State troopers safely removed the child from the truck. They say the child appeared unharmed but is being evaluated as a precaution.

Opelika police say Roberts had been wanted for felony assault on a police officer, stemming from a previous incident.