Man dies after police shooting in Valparaiso, Indiana State Police say; investigation ongoing

VALPARAISO, Ind. (WLS) -- Indiana State Police said a man is dead after an officer-involved shooting in northwest Indiana Thursday afternoon.

Chopper 7 was over the scene about 4:30 p.m. A large area was blocked off by police tape and officers.

Police said a preliminary investigation found that officers were sent to Fairgrounds Park just before 2:30 p.m. for a report of a suspicious man who was allegedly waving around a handgun. Officers found a man who matched the description given near Butterfield Pavilion.

Police said that as officers approached, the man fled towards Calumet Avenue on foot. During the foot chase there was an exchange of gunfire between the man and the officers.

Several nearby buildings were left riddled with bullet holes.

"I would've been sitting where the bullet came into my office," said Marcy Normal who runs a tax service nearby. "Bullet hole is right there."

The bullet went right through her business; a neighboring home was also hit.

"I saw the police car stop in the middle of the road," she said. "And then, I saw a man running across the road, through the parking lot next door, firing his gun at the police officer."

Indiana State Police said officers from both the Valparaiso Police Department and the Porter County Sheriff's Department were involved in the incident.

"I jumped up, ran to the window, and I saw several officers surrounding somebody and they were rendering first aid," said witness Leonard Campbell.

The man was struck and taken to Northwest Health Hospital where he later died, police said. He has not yet been identified.

"It could've been a lot worse for a lot of people that were out on the streets and outside their yards doing things," said Norman.

SEE ALSO: Slain CPD Ofc. Luis Huesca's police badge also stolen after fatal shooting, sources tell ABC7

The officers involved in the incident have also not been identified. The investigation is active and ongoing, state police said.

Fairgrounds Park will be closed until further notice, as the police continue their investigation, Valpo Parks said in a Facebook post just before 4:20 p.m.

Indiana State Police said just before 5 p.m. that Calumet Avenue is closed, as well as side roads.