Merrillville Officer Arrested On Suspected Domestic Battery Charges
On October 16th, 2024 at approximately 10:00 PM, Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers responded to a call for service involving screaming being heard by nearby neighbors in 5600 block of W. 171st Avenue in Lowell, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.
Officers arrived in the area and located the source of the screaming. Contact was made with an off-duty Merrillville police officer and his fiancé. During the course of a preliminary investigation, the Merrillville police officer was taken into custody suspected of domestic battery.
The suspect is identified as Ryan K. Kijurna, 32, of Lowell. Kijurna will be placed on unpaid administrative leave pending further investigation with the Merrillville Police Department.
“We take these allegations very seriously and are committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct within our department,” Merrillville Police Chief Kosta Nuses said. “Additionally, an internal investigation will be initiated to thoroughly review the circumstances surrounding this incident,” Nuses added.
This incident is actively under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Unit.
