Officials: Man shot and killed by police in Highland

HIGHLAND | A 27-year-old Highland man was shot and killed by police during a violent domestic disturbance at his apartment early Tuesday, officials said.

Joshua Jones, of the 2000 block of Port De L'eau Court, was pronounced dead at 1:32 a.m. in the emergency room of The Community Hospital in Munster, said P.J. Adams, chief deputy coroner with the Lake County coroner's office.

The cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds suffered in a police-related shooting at his residence.

According to a news release issued by Indiana State Police, two Highland police officers were called at 12:45 a.m. to Jones' apartment by a third party reporting a possible domestic problem.

Jones let the two officers into the apartment and cooperated with them until he saw a female family member. Police said Jones suddenly and violently assaulted her.

Officers grabbed Jones, who began fighting with them. Police said Jones tried to take one of the officer's guns from the holster and then grabbed the officer's expandable baton and hit him in the head with it.

The second officer used his Taser twice on Jones, but it was not effective, police said. Jones then started fighting with the officer, who used the Taser and struck him in the left forearm with the baton.

That officer then fired his weapon, striking Jones, police said.

State police said the officer who was struck in the head by Jones was treated and released at a local hospital with a head injury.

As is the protocol with police-related shootings, Indiana State Police are investigating the case.

In conjunction with Highland Police Department policy, both officers are on paid administrative leave as the investigation continues.

This is the second fatal shooting in Highland this month. Douglas Smith, 26, of the 2600 block of 40th Place, is accused of murder in the Jan. 14 shooting death of his girlfriend, Jacqueline Williams, 28, at the couple's home.