A man accused of allegedly shooting a woman in the head was arrested with help from the Porter County SWAT Team at a South 18th Street Chesterton residence, where he was hiding early Saturday morning.
The Porter County Prosecutor’s office is expected to file the formal charges against the man on Monday. Chesterton Police were not releasing the names of the suspect or the victim until then.
The woman was transported to a regional trauma center, where she is listed in serious condition, police said.
It started with a call at 2:33 a.m., when Chesterton Police responded to the report of a shooting in the 100 block of South 18th Street.
A woman was found outdoors, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. She was alert and able to communicate with officers, a Chesterton Police release said.
Chesterton Police officers determined that the shooting occurred nearby inside a two-story, multi-unit residence in the same block of South 18th Street where the woman was found.
There were unsuccessful attempts to contact the occupants inside the residence. Officers knew someone was inside because they saw the lights go on and off on the second floor.
Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson called for the help of the Porter County SWAT Team. At the same time, police obtained a search warrant from Judge Christopher Buckley of the Porter Superior Court 4.
A safety perimeter was set up to keep people away from the residence for a time, until the SWAT Team could make its tactical entry. The male suspect surrendered peacefully, police said.
There were also multiple potential witnesses inside the apartment, who were taken to the Chesterton Police Station for questioning.
Richardson said he was thankful for help from Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon and his department, which also included assistance from the Crime Scene Investigation Team.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.