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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowPolice fatally shot a suspect Monday after he opened fire and injured two members of a SWAT team who stormed a Gary apartment complex seeking to arrest him, authorities said.
Gary Police Lt. Dawn Westerfield said the officers were shot while assisting the Merrillville Police Department with an investigation at the complex. Westerfield said the suspect targeted by the investigation barricaded himself in a residence.
After two hours of negotiation, the Gary SWAT team sought to enter the residence and the suspect opened fire, striking the two officers. An officer returned fire, killing the shooter.
Westerfield said Cpl. James Nielsen, a 17-year veteran, was shot in the chest, with the bullet deflected by his protective vest, and once in the arm. Cpl. John Artibey, a 14-year veteran, took shrapnel to the chin and abdomen. Both were being treated and reported in stable condition.
Authorities haven’t identified the dead suspect, described as a man in his 20s.
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