always search your prisoner--GRAPHIC!

[Lady Cop]

JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) – Two Jonesboro police officers are on administrative leave after a suspect reportedly shot himself while handcuffed in a patrol car.

Chavis Chacobie Carter, 21, of Southaven, Mississippi, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to police records.

According to the police report, Carter was a passenger in a pickup truck that was stopped just before 10 o'clock Saturday night on Haltom Street.

Officer Keith Baggett said while he searched the vehicle, Officer Ron Marsh questioned and searched Carter. He reportedly found "some marijuana" and several new plastic baggies on Carter.

According to the report, Officer Marsh ran Carter's information through dispatch and learned that he was wanted on a warrant out of DeSoto County, Mississippi.

After confirming the warrant, Baggett said Marsh had Carter "exit the patrol unit, placed him into handcuffs, searched him a second time then placed him into the back seat of the patrol unit."

While he and Officer Marsh walked back to his patrol unit, Officer Baggett said a car passed and then he heard "a loud thump with a metallic sound." At the time he believed the vehicle had run over a piece of metal on the road.

After questioning and releasing the other two men, Officer Marsh reportedly returned to his unit while Officer Baggett said he prepared to leave the scene. He then heard "several thumps" on his trunk and saw Officer Marsh motioning for him.

Officer Marsh reportedly said Carter had shot himself.

The two officers opened the rear passenger side door and found Carter in a "sitting position slumped forward with his head in his lap." Officer Marsh said there was a large amount of blood on Carter's shirt, pants, seat and floor. He also said Carter's hands were still cuffed behind his back. A small caliber handgun was reportedly found beside him.

Seeing that Carter was still breathing, Officer Marsh radioed for an ambulance and a supervisor. Carter was taken to St. Bernards Regional Medical Center where he later died of his injury.

Officers Baggett and Marsh are on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.