The Sheriff’s Department of Lake County, Indiana is looking into a shooting involving an officer that occurred Thursday morning, where a police officer from Gary shot and killed a 21-year-old. Authorities reported that the Investigations Unit of the police department conducted an operation that included an undercover officer due to an increase in robbery incidents associated with exchanges on social media marketplaces. GPD stated that officers operated undercover, acting as buyers with the aim of apprehending a suspect.
Authorities reported that an officer made contact with 21-year-old Shahaud Richmond shortly after noon on Wednesday, close to the intersection of Maryland and Virginia Streets, to initiate the exchange. According to ABC 7 News Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon said “During that operation, the suspect attempted to rob our undercover officer and attacked him with a machete-style weapon.” A nearby officer discharged their firearm upon observing the supposed assault, striking Richmond. Richmond was quickly taken to a hospital, where he passed away.
Richmond’s family believes that the police may have targeted the wrong individual, as there were other people involved in the incident. He was a father to a one-year-old child and had another baby on the way.
Richmond’s family said the 21-year-old was trying to sell a PlayStation to make money for his growing family.
The injuries sustained by the undercover officer were not life-threatening. Gary police intend to proceed with these operations.
