On Sunday, August 31, 2025, at approximately 7:58 p.m., Chesterton Police Officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of S. 23rd Street for a welfare check involving a 29-year-old Valparaiso man who was reported to be suicidal and armed with a handgun. The report was made after the man’s girlfriend fled her residence with her two children.
Upon officer’s arrival, the male subject had already left the scene. Corporal Darren Conley then met with the reporting female, a 30-year-old Chesterton resident, who advised that during their 10-month relationship, the male had allegedly sexually abused her and threatened her with a handgun. She also provided recent text messages that contained threats toward her, as well as suicidal statements from the 29-year old male.
Given the potential for violence against the alleged victim, and using all available law enforcement resources, Corporal Conley began efforts to locate the subject. Early Monday morning, September 1st, 2025, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Cpl. Conley observed a vehicle traveling northbound on State Road 49, near Gateway Boulevard, that appeared to be driven by the male subject in question, along with a female passenger. Cpl. Conley followed the vehicle while awaiting assistance from officers in the area.
When additional officers arrived to assist Cpl. Conley, near State Road 49 and Indian Boundary Road, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle initially slowed into the Aldi grocery store parking lot, however, did not come to a complete stop. The driver then accelerated, leading to a very brief pursuit. The vehicle circled around the Speedway Gas Station, located in front of the Aldi grocery store, before returning to Indian Boundary Road where the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle struck a curb and crashed into the front of the Speedway Gas Station building, causing extensive damage.
Officers then attempted to order the potentially armed male out of the crashed vehicle, however, the female passenger quickly exited and reported to officers that the male subject took his own life with a handgun, prior to crashing into the building. Officers then safely approached the vehicle and confirmed that the male subject was deceased from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound. The female was unharmed during this incident.
Detectives from the Chesterton Police Department responded to the scene, recovered evidence—including a handgun—and conducted interviews. The investigation revealed the male subject had a history of suicidal statements.
Police Chief Tim Richardson extends his sympathy to both the victim in this case and to the family of the deceased. He also commended the responding officers for their professionalism and empathy in handling this very difficult investigation, along with its tragic outcome. Chief Richardson notes that no Chesterton Police officers were injured in this event and no officers fired any weapons.
Chief Richardson expresses his thanks to the Porter Police Department and Porter County Sheriff’s Office for assisting at the scene and answering calls for service in Chesterton during the early morning investigation. Also assisting at the scene was the Porter County Coroner’s office, Burns Harbor, and Indiana State Police Departments. The identity of the deceased will be released by the Coroner’s Office after next of kin have been notified.
As the case remains under investigation, no further information will be disclosed at this time. For inquiries, please contact Investigations Commander, Sergeant Justin Frever at Chesterton PD (219) 926-1136.