FEDERAL SEARCH WARRANT EXECUTED IN EAST CHICAGO
EAST CHICAGO — A federal search warrant was executed early Thursday morning in East Chicago as part of an ongoing investigation into a July 22, 2025 officer-involved shooting that left a suspect wounded and facing multiple state and federal charges.
Around 6:00 a.m., East Chicago Police assisted agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in serving a federal warrant at 5003 Melville Avenue. The target of the operation, Curtis Lamar Hill, 44, is already in federal custody after charges were filed against him by the ATF.
The federal warrant stems from a high-risk incident that unfolded on July 22, 2025. At 5:54 p.m., East Chicago Officer Vega responded to a ShotSpotter gunshot alert near 5001 Melville Avenue. Upon arrival, Officer Vega found a man in an alley between Melville and Kennedy Avenue suffering from a graze wound to the leg. Vega immediately provided medical aid.
While assisting the victim, the wounded man pointed out a suspect approaching the area. Officer Vega saw the individual, later identified as Curtis Lamar Hill, with a handgun visibly sticking out of his waistband. As Vega moved toward him, Hill took off running, ignoring repeated commands to stop.
During the foot pursuit, investigators say Hill pulled the firearm from his waistband and pointed it at Officer Vega, escalating the threat to both the officer and nearby residents. After multiple orders to drop the weapon went ignored, Officer Vega fired his service weapon, striking Hill and stopping the confrontation.
Hill was taken into custody, and Officer Vega administered medical care until paramedics arrived. Hill was transported to a Chicago-area hospital in serious but stable condition.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department took over the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. A loaded handgun was recovered at the scene, along with surveillance video capturing portions of the encounter.
Hill was later charged with multiple felonies, including:
- Aggravated Battery
- Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon
- Pointing a Firearm
- Unlawful Carrying of a Firearm by a Violent Convicted Felon
- Resisting Law Enforcement
On top of the state charges, the ATF filed federal charges, and Hill has remained in federal custody since.
The East Chicago Police Department says it will continue to work closely with federal authorities as the investigation moves forward.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
