The suspect was identified a 21-year-old man from Gary named Shahaud Richmond. He died at the hospital from his injuries in the police shooting, which Gary police said happened during an undercover operation.
Gary police said they'd been investigating a surge of robberies linked to social media marketplace sales and that they narrowed down Richmond as a suspect.
Just after noon Wednesday, an undercover officer posed as a potential buyer with Richmond near Maryland and Virginia streets.
"During that operation the suspect attempted to rob our undercover officer and attacked him with a machete style weapon," Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon said.
Other officers on scene then shot Richmond, and he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Gary police give update on fatal officer-involved shooting
Gary police said an officer, who's been with the department for 32 years, suffered non life-threatening injuries, but is expected to be okay.
Gary police said their undercover operation will continue in hopes of finding other suspects.
"At this time we are going to be research anyone involved in these matters, and we plan to bring them before prosecution," Cannon said.
No further details about the shooting were immediately available.
The Lake County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate the officer-involved shooting. The officer has been placed on administrative leave.