Indiana State Trooper shot after pursuit leaves suspect dead

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. – A suspect is dead and an Indiana State Trooper is injured after a Friday night pursuit through Jasper and Lake County.

According to a press release, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department received a call of an armed robbery/car-jacking at the Pilot Truck Stop At exit 201 late Friday night.

The victim reported that the assailant was a black man wearing a mask. They also reported that the assailant had pointed a gun at the victim’s head while taking possession of the vehicle in question, a black Mitsubishi.

A Demotte police officer located the stolen vehicle traveling northbound on I-65 and attempted to make a traffic stop. However, the officer lost sight of the vehicle near exit 240 after the officer’s emergency lighting became disabled.

According to officials, a pursuit was initiated but the vehicle sustained a flat tire at which point the driver slowed the vehicle. As the vehicle slower, the driver exited the vehicle and began to fire a weapon at the troopers.

During this gunfire exchange, a trooper was shot by the suspect. The suspect and troopers continued to exchange gunfire until one of the trooper’s rounds struck the suspect.

A trooper began to administer first aid to the suspect but his efforts were unsuccessful. The trooper then administered first aid to the injured trooper by applying a tourniquet.

The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Lake County Coroner.

The injured trooper was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Crown Point for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The identity of the deceased has not yet been determined.

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