Police Exchange Gunfire After One Shot Dead Outside Gary Nightclub
Around 2:30am Sunday morning an off duty officer working security at The Loft ADIQ nightclub on the 700 block of Broadway called in multiple shots fired outside in the parking lot. Multiple agencies from Lake County Sheriff, ISP, Hobart, Highland, Griffith, Lake Station, New Chicago, and Merrillville were called to the scene for an active shooter. Originally one dozen ambulances from the surrounding area came to the scene before being called off not knowing how many were hit by gunfire.
While dispersing the crowd at this location officers heard additional shots being fired. Gary officers investigated the additional shots and observed a male firing at another male who was on the ground, Gary Police said. Officers engaged the male shooter and he exchanged gun fire with officers. The suspect was shot in the leg by an officer. He is in stable condition and under guard at a medical facility. The male victim, 28-years-old, was declared deceased on scene by the Lake County Coroner’s Office. The Lake County Coroner has identified the victim as Kevin Blackmon of Gary. The Metro Homicide Unit will be investigating the homicide and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department will investigate the officer involved shooting.
Multiple cars have numerous bullet holes in them in the lot. Witnesses reported hearing dozens of shots. The Lake County Coroner arrived on scene around 3:30am. Broadway remains shutdown between 7th and 6th in both directions.
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Adams of the Metro Homicide Unit at 219-755-3855 or the Crime Tip Line at 866-CRIME-GP.
The Gary FOP released a statement stating, they are confident that the investigation will show that the Officers and members of the Gary FOP performed in heroic fashion using their training and bravery to stop the threat of anyone else being injured or killed.
No further information was available as of 4am. We will update as information is released.
