David Martin Obituary, Death; – A narcotics investigation in northwest Indiana concluded with police shooting and killing an armed individual on Wednesday morning, according to officials.
The incident took place at the rear of an apartment building located in the 600 block of Adams Street around 6 a.m. on Wednesday, as reported by the police.
Neighbors informed NBC Chicago, both on and off camera, that they were awakened by a loud explosion followed by a series of gunshots. The Gary police stated that the department’s SWAT team was executing a search warrant after receiving reports of drug sales and distribution from an apartment on Adams Street.
“It was quite frightening initially,” remarked neighbor Anthony Griffin. “We were unaware of what was happening.” Griffin resides adjacent to the residence that is now the focus of the police investigation. “I am not sure what the entire situation was about,” he stated. “I merely heard an explosion, stepped out my back door, and saw a man lying there. I instructed my children to go inside, and we have remained indoors since then.”
The investigation commenced around 6:30 a.m. The Gary police and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that a SWAT team was dispatched to carry out the operation based on a search warrant.
As the police executed the warrant, authorities reported that the individual named in the warrant exited through the back of the building.
Gary officials indicated that the individual then “engaged officers with a firearm,” which led police to return fire. That individual subsequently succumbed to their injuries.
“It was shocking; my initial thought was, what occurred, and it was mere feet from my children,” he expressed. “They mentioned that’s the individual who used to wave at us.”
It remains unclear how many officers were involved or the number of shots fired. Police indicated that community information was the catalyst for the investigation.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department is overseeing the investigation. The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased man as 46-year-old David Martin. The coroner stated he died from multiple gunshot wounds and classified his death as a homicide.
