59-year-old shoots himself after standoff in Pahrump

A 59-year-old man suspected in two home invasions early Thursday shot and killed himself after ignoring deputies' commands to drop his gun, the Nye County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies did not release the identity of the deceased man.

Deputies were alerted at 7:43 a.m. about a home invasion in Pahrump at 9100 S. Homestead Road. A person told deputies someone had kicked in the front door, pointed a gun at occupants and told them to leave because he was going to burn down the house. When deputies arrived, the house was on fire and the suspect was gone.

At 8:07 a.m., deputies were dispatched to another home invasion across town at 741 West Janet Lane. While en route, they were alerted that the home was on fire and a man was standing outside the residence with a gun.

Upon arrival, deputies encountered the man outside a vehicle.

Sheriff's officials said it appeared he was trying to lure deputies toward him. The suspect ignored orders to put his gun down and shot himself after a short standoff.

Detective Eric Murphy said the man possibly was attempting what police call suicide by cop