Nine officers fired their weapons during the confrontation, and Indiana State Police are investigating what led to the deadly encounter.
GARY, IN — A 67-year-old security guard was shot and killed Friday night during an exchange of gunfire with Gary police officers and Lake County sheriff’s deputies near a downtown transit station, according to Indiana State Police.
Kenneth Williams Sr. of Gary was working security at the Metro station near 4th Avenue and Broadway when officers responded at about 10:54 p.m. to a report of an armed security officer exhibiting what state police described as unusual and erratic behavior. Police said officers attempted to de-escalate the situation before a confrontation developed at about 11:20 p.m. and gunfire was exchanged. Authorities have not publicly detailed what prompted the confrontation or who fired first.
Williams died at the scene. An initial investigation found that six Gary Police Department officers and three Lake County Sheriff’s Department officers discharged their weapons, Indiana State Police said. No officers were injured. The nine officers involved were placed on administrative leave under department procedures while the shooting is investigated.
State police have not released the names of the officers or provided a detailed account of Williams’ actions immediately before the shooting. Authorities also have not publicly said what type of firearm Williams had, how many shots he fired or how many times he was struck. The investigation remained active Sunday.
The Lake County Coroner and Medicolegal Death Investigation Team arrived at the Metro station at 12:10 a.m. Saturday. Williams was identified by family members, and his death was certified at 1 a.m., according to the coroner’s office. A forensic autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday at the Lake County Forensic Science Center in Crown Point. The preliminary cause and manner of death remained pending.
Investigators spent Saturday examining the area around the station and documenting evidence. CBS Chicago reported that at least 100 evidence markers could be seen at the scene. Witness Kristin Lindsey told the station she encountered a blocked intersection and saw several officers with their guns drawn before hearing a large number of shots. She left the area after the gunfire began.
Williams’ relatives said he had gone to work Friday as usual and that they were seeking a clearer explanation of how the encounter turned deadly. His son, Kenneth Williams Jr., said the family wants to know why his father did not return home from work. Another son, Raymond Brown, also said the family was waiting for answers about what happened.
Indiana State Police are leading the investigation because officers from the Gary Police Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Department were involved in the shooting. State police said there was no continuing threat to the public after the incident. No arrests or criminal charges related to the shooting had been announced as of Sunday.
The investigation will determine the sequence of events leading to the exchange of gunfire and the actions of the officers and Williams. Authorities had not announced when additional investigative findings would be released. The pending autopsy and continued state police investigation are expected to provide more information about the fatal encounter.
Author note: Last updated August 30, 2026.