The Portage Police Department is seeking the whereabouts of a man who allegedly shot a firearm after leading police on a vehicle pursuit early Wednesday.
At about 1:31 a.m. officers were notified of a vehicle pursuit occurring in the city of Portage. Officers responded to the area and attempted to deploy stop-sticks but the pursuit ended near the intersection of Plaza Avenue and Plymouth Street just as Portage officers were arriving. As the vehicle pursuit concluded, the driver exited his vehicle and discharged a handgun several times while fleeing on foot. An occupied home near the intersection was struck by gunfire. Numerous officers from surrounding agencies responded to the scene in an attempt to locate the suspect but he was able to avoid capture.
The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Trayvon Byrd. Police said Byrd is currently homeless but has connections to the cities of Gary and Indianapolis. Police describe him as a black male, standing 6’5” and weighing approximately 190 pounds. Byrd was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
“If you live in the area of Dombey and Marquette Roads and have a video surveillance system, we are asking that you please check between the hours of 1:30am until sunrise, Portage Police said on their Facebook page. “If you should find any footage of any suspicious persons around your home, please contact Detective Nicole Heuberger at 219-764-5707.”
“Mr. Byrd is considered to be armed and dangerous. If you know Mr. Byrd’s whereabouts, please contact the Portage Police Department at 219-762-3122 or call 911. No officers discharged their firearms during this incident and no injuries have been reported,” PPD said.