Hammond cop shoots man who got out of crashed SUV holding a gun, police say

A Hammond police officer shot a man who got out of a crashed SUV holding a gun early Thursday, authorities said.

A 911 caller had reported the crash and possible car fire around 3:30 a.m. at Orchard Drive and Rhode Island Avenue, Indiana State Police said in a statement.

Responding officers told the man to exit several times but he refused, state police said. He was the only person inside the SUV.

The man eventually got out, but he was holding a handgun and a Hammond police officer shot him, state police said.

The man, 28, was taken by ambulance to a Chicago-area hospital, where his condition was stabilized, state police said.

Officers found a drum magazine in the driver’s area of the SUV, according to the state police.

The officer who fired the shots was placed on paid administrative leave, per department policy, police said.