Suspect killed, Indiana trooper injured in I-80/94 shooting in Hammond
This is the second time in a week that an Indiana law enforcement officer has been involved in a shooting.
HAMMOND, Ind. (WLS) -- A suspect was killed and an Indiana State Police trooper wounded in a shooting during a traffic stop on Interstate 80/94 Tuesday morning, Indiana State Police said.
Just after midnight an Indiana State Police trooper conducted traffic stop on I-80/94 east of the Indiana/Illinois state line. Two officers with the Lake County, Indiana Sheriff's office and a Hammond police officer responded to assist.
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They stopped a grey Hyundai Elantra near Indianapolis Boulevard for a minor traffic violation.
"Once they arrived at the suspect vehicle, the driver produced a handgun. And an exchange of gunfire took place between the suspect and all four of the officers that arrived," Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield said. "Something that he observed during that traffic stop alerted him that resulted in him drawing his firearm and calling for backup. And that proved to be a valid request as it turned into a deadly encounter."
The suspect, a 34-year-old man from Gary, was killed at the scene. And a trooper was shot in the chest. The suspect was identified to the Lake County Coroner's Office as Aaron Barnes, 34, of Gary.
The trooper was taken to a hospital in Munster and transferred to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was stable, police said.
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The trooper underwent successful surgery, and has since been released. He is now at home recovering, officials said.
Police said the trooper was wearing a bulletproof vest, and is expected to make a full recovery. The trooper has been with the department for eight years.
The trooper has a K9 officer and his K9 was at the scene but was not injured.
Indiana State Police said eastbound lanes on I-94 were closed as police investigated. Shortly before 8 a.m., all lanes were back open.
No other officers were injured. A 34-year-old woman who was in the vehicle was taken into custody but was later released pending further investigation.
This is the second time in a week that an Indiana law enforcement officer has been involved in a shooting.
On Friday, LaPorte County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Samuelson was shot by an armed suspect inside the emergency room of Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City.
The deputy is still in the hospital. His accused attacker is facing charges.
A court filing released Tuesday indicates Sharod Grafton stood over Samuelson and tried to shoot him after he was already injured, but the gun jammed.
The report says one of the bullets that hit Deputy Samuelson lodged in his spine.
Samuelson underwent surgery this weekend.
His medical team says it's optimistic about his recovery.
"Sometimes I question if the public understands the most dangerous thing we do. We walk up to the unknown, just walk up to a car we just pulled over," Fifield said. "That is the most dangerous thing we do is walking up to the unknown."
