GARY | The Lake County Sheriff's Department is investigating the fatal shooting of a Gary man Saturday following accusations that Gary officers were involved, officials said.
Laroi Griffin, 32, died of multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body, according to the Lake County coroner's office. The shooting occurred at the Delaney housing complex at 1119 W. 21st Ave., coroner's officials said.
On Wednesday, sheriff's police confirmed they are handling the investigation because of a request from top Gary officials.
"After conferring with Mayor (Karen) Freeman-Wilson, Chief Wade Ingram made the call to surrender the investigation to Lake County," said Chelsea Whittington, the city's director of communications.
Whittington said there was concern accusations had been made that Gary officers were involved in the shooting.
"The decision to involve outside law enforcement was (made) to ensure that the investigation was fair and that there was no conflict of interest," she said.
Police were called to the scene just after midnight Saturday on a report of shots fired.
Griffin was pronounced dead at 1:32 a.m., according to the coroner's office.
Whittington said the Gary Police Department will take every measure to vindicate its officers.
Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Patti Van Til said the matter remains under investigation.
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