Suspect in custody following a shooting on 18th Street in Chesterton

A suspect is in custody following a shooting early Saturday morning  Dec. 27, on South 18th Street, the Chesterton Police Department said.

According to the CPD, at 2:33 a.m. officers assisted by Porter County Sheriff’s Police deputies responded to a report of a shooting at residence in the 100 block of South 18th Street.

On their arrival officers located an adult female victim with a gunshot wound to the head, the CPD said. “The victim was alert and able to communicate with responding officers,” the CPD said. “The victim was transported from the scene to a regional trauma center, where she was listed in serious condition.”

Officers subsequently determined that the shooting occurred inside a two-story, multi-unit residence on South 18th Street but were unsuccessful in their attempts to make contact with occupants of residence. They did, however, observe lights being turned off on the second floor of the building.

On his arrival at the scene, Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson requested assistance from the Porter County SWAT Team. He also requested and was issued a search warrant by Porter Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley.

The SWAT Team then conducted a tactical entry of the residence, took a male suspect into custody without incident, and turned the subject over to CPD detectives. Multiple witnesses were located as well and transported to the Chesterton Police Department for questioning.

The suspect is currently being held at the Porter County Jail on preliminary charges related to the incident. Formal charges will be announced at a later time following review by Porter County Prosecuting Attorney Gary Germann and his staff and upon a finding of probable cause by a Porter County court.

“This investigation remains active and no additional information will be released at this time,” the CPD said. “There is no ongoing threat to the public.”

Richardson expressed his gratitude to Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon and the PCSP for their immediate response and continued assistance, including support from their SWAT and Crime Scene Investigation teams.

“Arrests and criminal charges are merely accusations,” the CPD noted. “All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.“