Suspect shoots himself during police chase on crowded highway, video footage shows

A Massachusetts highway became a horrific scene for commuters when a man with a gun sparked a heavy police presence and resulted in road closures… and TMZ takes a look at the chaos.

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ … Interstate 190 was closed north of Worcester, Massachusetts, Wednesday afternoon after a man carrying a gun walked onto the highway … dodging between cars in stationary traffic to avoid capture escape.

Mass. State Police spokesman Brandon Doherty told TMZ … troopers and Worcester police responded to a report of a man with a gun around 3:40 p.m. local time … and a shooting occurred shortly after.

As you can see from the footage, multiple officers entered the scene and pursued the suspect from various angles.

Towards the end of the chase, there was an exchange of gunfire between officers and the suspect… after which the man apparently shot himself in the head before he could be arrested.

Trooper Doherty told us the suspect is “in custody” – meaning “there is no longer a threat” – but that doesn't mean he is alive. Medical personnel were on scene, but no officers were hit.

Worcester police also attempted to discourage motorists from entering the highway, also noting on X that “heavy traffic” should be avoided.