Investigation concludes Gary police officer shot ISP dog during pursuit of suspect

GARY, Ind. -- Further investigation into a police pursuit in Gary the morning of Dec. 14 has concluded that a Gary police officer shot Indiana State Police K-9 Officer Rogue in the paw while in pursuit of a suspect who attempting to run away.

As a result of the investigation by the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division Lowell Post, "it has been determined that a Gary police officer discharged his weapon in the direction of Rogue," Sgt. Glen Fifield said. "Rogue sustained a gunshot wound to her front paw. She has since undergone surgery and is continuing her recovery at home with her handler."

The shooting stems from a Dec. 14 incident that began when troopers from the ISP Lowell Post identified a vehicle that had been reported stolen traveling west on I-80 in Lake County. The troopers attempted to make a traffic stop after the vehicle merged onto I-65 northbound from I-80, but the driver did not stop.

According to ISP, the pursuit continued onto the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) and I-80/94 before entering local roads in Gary. The suspect's vehicle stopped at the intersection of 21st Avenue and Wisconsin Street in Gary, where the suspect abandoned the vehicle, causing a responding Gary police officer to fire his weapon in the direction of Rogue and the suspect. 

"Also, during the initial vehicle pursuit, a single-vehicle crash occurred on I-80 at the 13.5 mile-marker which involved one of the troopers in the pursuit," said Fifield. "The trooper was forced to take evasive action to avoid another vehicle, which resulted in the police car running off the roadway and coming to a stop in a water-filled, roadside ditch. The trooper was not injured."