Police in Gary, Indiana, reportedly shot and killed a man holding a toddler when the suspect did not heed their demands. The shooting occurred after two calls to 911 within moments of each other, related to the same person. Thankfully, the 1-year-old did not suffer any physical injuries in the hours-long standoff with police, but the trauma will likely live with all involved for some time.
According to a statement from the City of Gary, police arrived at an apartment complex in the 2200 block of Carolina Street about 8:40 p.m. April 8, 2025. A woman told dispatchers her boyfriend, 38, allegedly did drugs earlier in the day and was acting strangely. He reportedly barricaded himself in a bedroom with their 1-year-old child.
Less than 20 minutes later, dispatchers received another call about a shooting in the 2100 block of Carolina Street. Per the city’s statement, investigators learned the 35-year-old man injured in the shooting was the cousin of the armed man barricaded in the apartment. The victim, who had a minor injury, told police he went to the home in the 2200 block of Carolina and tried to take the child, but an argument ensued, and the suspect shot him. He returned home and called police.
When officers arrived at the home in the 2200 block of Carolina, they tried to contact the suspect, who was not named, and reported hearing a baby crying. The man allegedly shot multiple times through the door, and police called for backup, the city’s statement noted. Members of the Gary Police SWAT and Lake County Sheriff’s Department SWAT unit arrived, and negotiators tried to reason with the man. The standoff reportedly lasted overnight.
“After Lake County Sheriff’s SWAT arrived, SWAT teams successfully breached the residence using a ram. A drone deployed in the residence showing the offender had moved to the second floor with his child and several more attempts were made to communicate with the offender,” the city’s statement reads. “Officers deployed CS/CN (tear) gas. The offender then exited through the rear of the home carrying the child in one arm and a gun in the other hand. As he ran toward his vehicle and in the direction of officers, an officer-involved shooting occurred.”
Police said emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but the man died at the scene. Although the child did not sustain injuries, the baby was taken to Methodist Hospital Northlake to be examined. Police placed the officer involved in the shooting on administrative leave pending an investigation.
“Our community is deeply saddened by this tragic incident that began as a family matter but escalated into a critical public safety situation involving a young child,” Chief of Police Derrick Cannon shared in the city’s statement. “I commend the officers who responded to this dangerous scene where the subject repeatedly fired at officers. I also extend my sincere gratitude to Lake County Sheriff, Oscar Martinez for providing additional resources, including their Police Assisted Recovery Initiative (PARI) team with licensed social workers who supported negotiators’’ de-escalation effort.”
