Gary, IN – A Gary Police Department undercover operation turned fatal after a suspect attacked an officer with a machete-style weapon. The incident occurred around 12:20 p.m. in the 3400 block of Maryland Street, during an ongoing investigation into a string of robbery incidents linked to social media marketplace exchanges.
The department’s Investigation Unit had responded to numerous reports of robberies since October, where individuals were targeted during online transactions. To address this, an undercover operation was launched, with officers posing as buyers to catch the suspect.
A 32-year veteran officer approached the suspect to conduct the exchange. At this moment, the suspect allegedly launched a machete-style attack on the officer. A nearby police reaction team saw the assault and quickly intervened. An officer fired at the suspect, who was then transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The injured officer is reportedly in stable condition and receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating the incident.
