RALEIGH, N.C. — Two Wake Forest police officers who shot a rape suspect in the head have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

The officers stopped Charles Kearney on U.S. 1 after a chase on the night of May 25. When Kearney reached for a gun, three officers -- including one from the U.S. Marshals Service -- fired. Two them hit him.

Kearney drove another 175 yards before crashing into a pole. He was taken to WakeMed and treated for his injuries, but later died.

Officers are waiting for an autopsy to determine why. It is believed that he died of a blood clot.

Deputies with the Marshals Service had requested the assistance of Wake Forest police after they spotted Kearney heading north on Capital Boulevard just south of town.

Raleigh and Rocky Mount police had issued warrants for Kearney's arrest following a reported rape and an assault. Both occurred earlier in the day.

Kearney was released from the hospital June 8 and taken to Raleigh's Central Prison, where ill and injured prisoners can be treated.

When his condition worsened June 11, Kearney returned to WakeMed, where he died early the next morning.