Suspect arrested after Gary police officer is shot in the shoulder

A suspect is in custody after a veteran Gary police officer was shot Monday and left “bleeding out” in his squad car in northwest Indiana, authorities said.

Detective Sergeant William Fazekas was near 4th Avenue and Johnson Street around 12:55 p.m, when he saw a car driving toward another car, Gary police said.

Fazekas followed the car to the 400 block of Johnson Street, where he activated his emergency lights and got out of his squad car, police said. As Fazekas stepped out, the driver of the car he was following opened fire.

Fazekas took cover inside his car but was struck in the shoulder, police said. The gunman fired more shots before running off.

Officers arrived and aided Fazekas, who was “bleeding out,” and took him to Methodist Northlake Hospital in a squad car, police said.

Fazekas was stabilized at the hospital and was expected to undergo surgery to repair his shoulder, police said. He is a 32-year veteran of the department assigned to the violent crimes division.

At the scene of the shooting, investigators deployed a K9 unit and tracked the suspect to an abandoned building where he was taken into custody, police said. Charges have not been announced.

Police initially reported that they were still searching for another person but later said examination of video determined there was only one suspect involved.