Gary police officer wounded while responding to call of shots fired, 1 suspect in custody
GARY, Ind. - One person is in custody after a Gary police sergeant was shot and wounded on the job Monday afternoon in northwest Indiana.
As of Monday evening, authorities were still looking for one person of interest in connection to the shooting. However, on Tuesday, police confirmed there was no second individual that they were looking for.
At 12:57 p.m. Monday, a Gary police officer spotted a car driving erratically near Johnson Street and 4th Avenue. The car came to a stop in the 400 block of Johnson Street, police said.
Police Sgt. William Fazekas, a 32-year-veteran of the department, turned on his lights and got out of his car to investigate, police said. As he approached, the person inside the car began shooting at him, police said
"Sgt. Fazekas was in that area and observed a vehicle strike another vehicle," said Gary Police Chief Brian Evans. "Sgt. Fazekas activated his emergency lights to engage the vehicle in the incidents. One of the suspects opened fire on Sgt. Fazekas striking him in the left shoulder."
Fazekas took cover in his vehicle as officers rendered aid, police said. He was taken to Methodist Northlake Hospital for treatment.
Gary Police K-9 "Rocki" tracked the gunman to a nearby abandoned building near 4th Avenue and Buchanan Street where he was taken into custody, police said.
Fazekas was later transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he is currently listed in stable condition. He is expected to undergo surgery on his shoulder Tuesday.
Fazekas joined the Gary Police Department in December 1989. He is assigned to the Violent Crimes Division, according to Gary police.
The shooting sparked a massive investigation and manhunt for those responsible – with multiple departments on-hand in Gary to assist.
"It’s important to note that these men and women place themselves and their lives in danger every day," said Mayor Jerome Prince, City of Gary.
The Lake County Sheriff's Department is leading this investigation.