AUSTIN, Texas - The man who died by suicide near the Williamson-Bell County on Thursday was a Fort Hood soldier.

Master Sergeant Alva Joe Gwinn, 39, enlisted in the Army in 1999 and was assigned to Fort Hood in 2012, according to Fort Hood officials in a news release.

Gwinn was deployed four times as part of Operation Enduring Freedom starting in 2003 and served one tour in Iraq from 2005 to 2006.

He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and numerous other decorations for his service, according to Army officials.

Gwinn died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Bell County on Thursday after a vehicle chase with Williamson County sheriff's deputies. He was trying to evade law enforcement after deputies attempted to do welfare check at his home.

He initially sped off in his vehicle before it was disabled and then ran off on private property near Texas State Highway 195 and Mountain Creek Road, which is 15 miles south of Killeen.

Immediately following incident, authorities said that Gwinn died after being shot by a deputy.

Authorities said Gwinn pointed a gun at deputies, which caused them to fire at him. Law enforcement later determined that Gwinn shot himself.

The Texas Rangers are still investigating the incident.