Suspect killed, Chesterton officer wounded in shooting, Indiana police say
CHESTERON, Ind. (WLS) -- One person was killed and a Chesterton police officer injured in a shootout Wednesday morning, Indiana State Police said.
The incident occurred at about 8:06 a.m. near the intersection of Gateway Boulevard and Matson Drive across from a Hilton Garden Inn next to the expressway.
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Indiana State Police said hotel employees called police with reports of a suspicious man in the area.
Once police arrived to the scene, they got into a confrontation with the man which led to an exchange of gunfire, in which the suspect was killed, police said
An officer was taken to a hospital in Illinois for a gunshot wound, police said.
"My main concern right now is our officer, and I'm happy to be able to tell you he is receiving treatment at an Illinois hospital and his prognosis looks good," Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson said.
The department is not naming the officer yet, but they said he is 33 years old and has been with the Chesterton Police Department for about five years now.
The other officer he was with during the shooting was not hurt at all.
It was a shocking scene to take in for Chesterton residents as traffic was backed up near the expressway and several local roads were blocked off.
"This is something that's unlike any incident that would happen in this small town community." Chesterton resident Jan Lange said.
Indiana State Police are now handling the investigation, and they said they're still looking into what exactly led to the shootout.
"That's part of what our investigators will find out, why they were called there obviously something brought his attention to their attention, the way he was acting, and obviously something was going on for their to be a confrontation and exchange of gunfire with officers," Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifeld said.
ISP is now also investigating the use of force, and the two officers involved in the shooting will go on routine administrative leave.
ABC7 is still waiting for the medical examiner to identify the man who was shot and killed.
