BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (AP/WWL) –  A sheriff’s deputy says a Mississippi police chief killed himself soon after learning that authorities were investigating allegations that he illegally sold city-owned firearms.

Hancock County Chief Deputy Don Bass told The Associated Press on Friday that Bay St. Louis police chief Mike DeNardo illegally sold one city-owned assault rifle.

Police said DeNardo shot himself in the chest shortly after leaving police headquarters. The mayor added he was set to put DeNardo on indefinite suspension per the sheriff’s advice. Authorities said Chief DeNardo turned in his city-issued belongings, walked into the parking lot, and pulled the trigger.

“There was some evidence presented that caused us, at the request of the sheriff’s department, to suspend Mike for the term of the investigation,” said Mayor Les Fillingame. “But we really felt like, from the initial conversation with Mike, that (the issue) would be resolved.”