A Merrillville, Indiana police officer was shot and a suspect was killed Friday night, according to authorities.
Police released few details surrounding the shooting, which occurred just before 11 p.m. in the 8200 block of Lincoln Circle, but said officers were investigating after a 33-year-old man moved back into his former condominium after being evicted in July.
Police said shots were exchanged between officers and the suspect during the investigation and a 24-year-old officer was shot in the head.
Nickolaus Schultz, a one year-veteran of the Merrillville Police Department, was listed in critical condition at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
The suspect, who was wearing “bullet-resistant body armor” at the time of the shooting, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The Lake County Coroner's office identified the man as 33-year-old Michael Hrnciar. He was pronounced dead at 3 a.m. The coroner's office said his death was a suicide.
Don Foley, commander of the Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force and sergeant of the Dyer Police Department, said the Porter County Bomb Squad was called to the scene and homes were evacuated after officials suspected an explosive device was inside the building.
“We’re still looking into all the aspects,” he said.
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The area was later deemed safe and residents were allowed back into their homes.
Check back for details on this developing story.
