Hospital Patient Dies in Police Standoff

Illinois investigators Sunday were trying to determine who fired the shot that killed an Aurora, Ill., hospital patient in a shootout with police.

The gunfire broke out after a 4 1/2-hour standoff between the patient and police in the Chicago suburb Saturday, the Chicago Tribune reported Sunday.

Police initially said the patient shot himself during the exchange, but later said it was unclear whether the wound was self-inflicted, the Tribune said.

Police were dispatched to the hospital Saturday morning after the patient pointed a handgun at a police officer in his room. A police spokesman said the officer and a supervisor had convinced the patient to release another patient who was in the room when the man pulled the gun.

After the standoff, the man opened the door and pointed his gun at officers in the hallway. Officers opened fire and activity in the room ceased, police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said.