East Chicago Police said a Saturday shooting ruled as a homicide by the Lake County Coroner’s Office was likely the result of self-defense, as a son shot his father to protect his mother during a physical and verbal altercation.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as Daniel Negrete, 45, of East Chicago; the cause of death is pending an autopsy.
East Chicago Police said in a post on Facebook that around 7 p.m. on Jan. 18, officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of East 140th Street for shots fired inside the second-floor rear apartment.
Officers found a man lying on his back in a pool of blood on the living room floor. The man was unresponsive and appeared to have suffered from several gunshot wounds to the chest, police said.
Officers performed CPR until medics arrived. Medics and East Chicago Fire Department personnel transported the victim to St. Catherine Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force was called out to investigate the homicide. Preliminary investigation indicates that the homicide may have been self-defense based on witness statements.
Witnesses stated that the victim was involved in a verbal and physical altercation with his wife when he reached for a weapon. At that time, witnesses said that the son shot his father to protect his mother.
Police said the investigation is ongoing. Assisting agencies also include the Lake County Sheriff’s Department CSI and Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force.
