MySpace page offers brief glimpse into life of standoff suspect who killed self

A man who was involved in a two-day standoff with authorities died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Thomas “Austin” Rose, 22, died Tuesday at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, his mother, Karen Rose, confirmed Wednesday.

Austin Rose, as he was commonly called, lived in the Battleboro community. He had been on the run since earlier this month when officers tried to serve him warrants on a probation violation and other charges, Nash County Sheriff Dick Jenkins said.

Authorities, family and friends negotiated unsuccessfully with Rose, hoping for a safe surrender during a standoff that lasted about 20 hours. It began after a tip led authorities to Rose’s location – a friend’s home on Dana Lane in Rocky Mount – around 1:20 p.m Monday.

Around 2 a.m. Tuesday, authorities lost contact with Rose. A robot with a camera had been sent in to locate him around 8 a.m., and about 9:15 a.m. Rose shot himself as two S.W.A.T. team members went into the home, Jenkins said.

Rose’s friend, Jerry Pittman Jr., has said he wasn’t sure why Rose was dropped off at his house.

“It was kind of random,” Pittman said. “We didn’t hang out much since he’s been out of prison.”

Rose’s MySpace page, accessed Wednesday, offers some insight into his life – how he loved to be with friends, drink a few beers and spend time with his dad and brother, Scott. He said he liked to hunt, fish and fix up vehicles. He said his dad and brother always were there for him through his “ruff parts.” His dad is listed as his hero on the social networking Web site.

“When your going threw hard times thats when you relize who your true friends are and who really does love you,” Rose wrote in his “About Me” section. “I have loved girls and broke some girls hearts but ima changed person who wants to get my life together and be a better man.”

He said he had “a very good job” welding and fitting pipes for his uncle’s company.

“I like rap music some country. I have a mom who i love but really dont talk to much but she knows shes loved. My little brother wesley means the world to me, i think about him al the time knowning that i dont see him much either. I’d do anything for him,” Rose wrote.

It is not clear when the site was last updated by Rose, but friends had posted comments as recently as Wednesday evening lamenting his death and remembering friendship. Just a few days ago, one friend mentioned something about going to the beach this weekend.

Rose was alive and in critical condition when he was initially rushed to Nash General Hospital from the scene of the standoff, officials said. He was airlifted to Pitt County Memorial on Tuesday, where he died.

Rose had been inside the home, armed with a gun, for about 20 hours as authorities from Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Rocky Mount Police Department, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, N.C. Highway Patrol and Rocky Mount Fire Department gathered to handle the ordeal.

Officers communicated with Rose by phone, through text messages and by loudspeaker.

People gathered in the neighborhood from Monday afternoon until Tuesday morning – cordoned off by police tape and officers making sure onlookers didn’t get too close. Pittman said people were driving through the neighborhood Tuesday afternoon for a glimpse of where the standoff happened.

Rose had been convicted of a number of crimes related to breaking and entering, property damage and larceny in Edgecombe, Warren, Nash, Wilson and Halifax counties dating back to 2004.

He was listed as an absconder from probation supervision on the N.C. Department of Correction Web site.