East Chicago Police Shoot Suspect Who Pointed Gun At Officers
On Saturday December 11, 2021 at approximately 10:30 p.m. East Chicago Police were dispatched to the area of 4823 Northcote Avenue in reference to shots fired, according to Deputy Chief Jose Rivera. ShotSpotter alerted to several shots fired incidents in the area. The first ShotSpotter alert came at 10:21 p.m. which indicated that 1 round was fired near this location. A second ShotSpotter alert came at 10:22p.m. and indicated that 11 rounds were fired in the area, Rivera stated.
Officers arrived on scene and exited their vehicles to search for any suspect(s), victim(s) and evidence. While out of their vehicle they heard several more shots fired near their location. ShotSpotter indicated that 5 rounds were fired near their location. Officers proceeded to the rear of 4823 Northcote where they heard the shots coming from. As Officers entered the backyard from the alley they observed two males in the backyard. One male was armed with a rifle and the other male was armed with a semi-automatic handgun. Officers ordered the males to drop their weapons in which the males refused to drop their weapons. One of the males allegedly pointed his handgun at the officers and one of the officers fired his duty weapon striking the male pointing the handgun at them. Both males then barricaded themselves in the rear apartment of 4823 Northcote, Rivera said.
Several more officers arrived on scene and were able to make entry into the apartment. Once entry was made police located a male subject bleeding from his abdomen area. Officers called for medics and secured the scene. The gunshot victim was identified by the officer as the male subject who pointed a handgun at him.
The male subject was identified as 34 year old Justin Hammond of Chicago, Illinois. A second subject identified as 39 year old Clifton Jordan of Lansing, Illinois was also located inside the residence. Officers identified that subject as the person in the backyard holding a rifle, Rivera said. Officers took Mr. Jordan into custody and transported him to the East Chicago Jail. The gunshot victim was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital in serious condition. A handgun, rifle and several spent casings were recovered from the scene.
The Lake County Sheriff Department was called out to investigate the officer involved shooting. It is customary for The East Chicago Police to request the assistance of an outside agency anytime one of their officers is involved in a shooting. The officer who fired his weapon was immediately placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Their name won’t be released pending the ongoing investigation.
