Indiana: Police: Man shoots, kills suspect in Hammond robbery attempt

Hammond, Indiana

From the Northwest Indiana Times of January 12, 2009

Police: Man shoots, kills suspect in Hammond robbery attempt

An attempted robbery early Sunday morning turned fatal for one of the suspects, police said.

A 38-year-old man and his girlfriend were exiting their sport-utility vehicle in the parking lot of McTavern's bar in the 7400 block of Indianapolis Boulevard when two people attempted to rob the couple, according to a Hammond police news release.

Another person is believed to have been an accomplice in the attempted robbery, Police Chief Brian Miller said.

The owner of the vehicle took a handgun from the SUV and shot one of the suspects in the chest, the release states. The shooting victim died at the scene before Hammond Fire Department personnel could provide further treatment and he could get to a hospital.

Kenneth Denson, 17, of the 600 block of East 131st Street in Chicago, was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to the chest about 1:30 a.m., a Lake County coroner's office spokeswoman said Sunday.

The second robbery suspect and an accomplice fled from the scene in a vehicle and traveled north on Indianapolis Boulevard into East Chicago, where they crashed and police apprehended them. Miller said an illegal narcotic drug was found in the vehicle.

Police said the investigation continues. The man who shot Denson has cooperated with police and has turned over his handgun.

Charges could be filed today against the other two suspects in custody, Miller said.

In September, a 40-year-old Gary man, Eric Lowe, was shot and killed outside of McTavern's following a dispute. Lowe was a security worker for the bar.

From the Northwest Indiana Times of January 12, 2009

Police: Statements support self defense claim in fatal shooting

Hammond police believe a man who shot and killed a would-be robber outside of a bar there early Sunday legitimately acted in self defense.

Hammond Police Chief Brian Miller said the 38-year-old Gary man was released after providing a statement to police about the incident.

"We do believe that his version of the story is true and credible," Miller said, adding that the man had a valid license to carry the weapon and purchased it legally.

Statements from witnesses to the attempted robbery and shooting assisted as well, he said.

"We had some outstanding participation by witnesses," Miller said.

(More)