Three arrested in Hammond after South Chicago shooting

Three men were taken into custody in connection with a shooting Tuesday morning after a chase that stretched from the South Chicago neighborhood into northwest Indiana.

A 36-year-old man was standing on the sidewalk in the 8400 block of South Muskegon about 10 a.m. Tuesday when a blue Jeep SUV drove by and someone inside opened fire, police said.

The man was shot in the lower back and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition, police said. He was able to give police a description of the vehicle, which was relayed over police radio.

A Chicago Police officer heard the description, spotted the vehicle heading toward Hammond and gave chase, police said.

During the chase, the Jeep struck a parked car at 118th Street and Stanton Avenue in Hammond, according to Hammond police Lt. Richard Hoyda. The driver and a passenger were taken into custody immediately after the crash.

A second passenger was arrested after a brief foot chase, authorities said. Police could not immediately say if a gun was recovered.

All three suspects, who range in age from 18-21, remain in the custody of Hammond police. The status of their extradition was not known.

The shooting is believed to be tied to an ongoing gang conflict in the area, police said. All three suspects have gang affiliations.