South Dakota man shot to death by Merrillville police at car dealership

A South Dakota man reportedly armed with a knife was shot to death by a police officer Wednesday morning at a car dealership in northwest Indiana.

Authorities were called about a person with a knife chasing an employee at 11:38 a.m. at Art Hill Ford, 901 W. Lincoln Highway in Merrillville, Indiana, according to Griffith Police Chief Gregory S. Mance, who serves as chairman and spokesman for the Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force.

Officers from the Merrillville Police Department on their way to the dealership were told that the suspect had entered a Jeep, Mance said. The officers found the Jeep near the entrance to the dealership and stopped it.

Officers used a Taser on the man when he ignored their commands, Mance said, but he continued approaching police. Officers then shot the man.

“Lethal force against the advancing offender was then utilized by the officers and the threat was neutralized,” Mance said in a statement, adding that a knife was recovered at the scene.

The suspect was taken to Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus in Merrillville, where he was pronounced dead at 12:12 p.m., authorities said.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified him as 30-year-old Jimmy Terry of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He died of multiple gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide.

The Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the shooting, already having interviewed witnesses and collected evidence. When the investigation is complete, findings will be given to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.