SWAT TAKES PORTAGE SHOOTER INTO CUSTODY IN LOWELL; SUSPECTS THIRD APPEARANCE ON REGION NEWS
On Monday March 3rd, 2025 at approximately 4:22 PM, Portage Patrol Officers responded to the 200 block of Greta Court in reference to a report of a man being shot. It was later learned that the shooting actually occurred nearby in the 300 block of Jacobs Place, but the victim had been moved to this second location by associates. Upon arrival, officers located a twenty-eight-year-old Hobart man suffering from gunshot wounds to his left arm and leg. Officers were able to apply tourniquets to stop the bleeding until Portage Fire Department personnel arrived and took over patient care. The victim was transported to Northwest Health – Portage and then flown to a trauma center by Lutheran Air. The victim is expected to survive, police said.
Initial investigation revealed that this shooting may have been motivated by romantic rivalry and the suspect was identified Jim Ferguson (27 years of age) of Chicago, IL. Portage Detectives were able to identify several locations throughout Northwest Indiana and Chicago that Mr. Ferguson may have fled to. Those local law enforcement agencies were asked to be on the lookout for Mr. Ferguson and were provided with a suspect vehicle description.
In the early morning hours of Tuesday March 4th, officers of the Lowell Police Department located the suspect vehicle parked at a residence in the 1600 block of Bluebird Court. A team of Portage detectives and SWAT officers responded to this location to attempt to take Mr. Ferguson into custody. Upon arrival, two adult females and an infant voluntarily left the home and officers confirmed that Mr. Ferguson was alone inside.
After numerous failed attempts to negotiate with Mr. Ferguson the remainder of the Portage Police Department’s SWAT team was activated and several homes in the area were evacuated. After approximately two hours of unsuccessful attempts to obtain Mr. Ferguson’s surrender, a chemical agent was deployed into the residence to drive him out. This tactic proved effective, and Mr. Ferguson was taken into custody without further incident. Mr. Ferguson’s vehicle was impounded and is being held pending the issuance of a search warrant.
Jim Ferguson is currently being held without bond at the Porter County Jail on the charge of Aggravated Battery a Level 3 felony as well as several active felony warrants through Lake Couty, IN. The charge of Aggravated Battery is subject to change/enhancement after prosecutor’s review.
Ferguson had made Region News articles in the past for being Lake County’s Most Wanted in September of 2024 for Auto Theft and again in 2021 for dealing meth after a SWAT raid in Lake Station.
Portage Police thanked the officers of the Lowell Police Department for their assistance in locating this dangerous suspect. Police also thanked the Portage Fire Department, Lowell Volunteer Fire Department, Tri Creek Ambulance Service, Lutheran Air, and Portage Towing for their assistance.
“Through the dedicated teamwork of these organizations, we were able to bring this situation to a quick and safe conclusion and provide lifesaving care to the victim of this crime,” Portage Police said.
