BAY ST. LOUIS - 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. He says authorities were looking into allegations that other city-owned weapons were sold as well.

Bass says it wasn't clear whether the buyer knew the gun was being sold illegally.

Bass says he couldn't confirm whether the weapon was evidence from a case or had been purchased for use by the department.

DeNardo was informed of the investigation Thursday at city police headquarters. Bass says DeNardo went to the parking lot, retrieved a shotgun from his trunk and shot himself.