New Chicago Police are investigating the Wednesday shooting death of a 42-year-old Hammond man following a dispute.
Police Chief Earl Mayo identified the victim as Edward Ruiz Jr.
Mayo said Thursday afternoon no one was in custody for the shooting, but he hoped to have a warrant for the alleged shooter’s arrest and for the arrest of two additional people by the end of the day.
Mayo said the shooting appeared to be linked to a family argument.
Police were called for a disturbance at 10:56 p.m. and found Ruiz lying on the ground in the 20 block of Arthur Avenue with multiple gunshot wounds, including a head injury.
Witnesses reported hearing loud screams prior to a physical altercation, which escalated into gunfire. Following the shots, several individuals fled the scene in a black Cadillac, police said.
Mayo said officers began lifesaving measures on Ruiz until medics arrived and he was taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart and later flown to Christ Memorial Hospital in Chicago where he died.
Mayo thanked the New Chicago and Hobart fire departments and police from Hobart, Lake Station and Winfield, and the Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force.
He described the shooting as an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Dickerson at gdickerson@newchicagoin.gov or Detective Rivera at brivera@newchicagoin.gov.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.