Off-duty Indiana officer critically wounded in shooting

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (AP) - An off-duty northwest Indiana police officer was shot and critically wounded during an altercation where he and two other people were shot, police said Monday.

The East Chicago officer wounded in Sunday's shooting underwent surgery at a local hospital early Monday and he was still being held in an intensive care unit in critical condition, ahead of a second surgery, the East Chicago Police Department said in a statement.

'ť(He) has a long recovery ahead of him,'ť the department said.

Police said they would not release the officers' name until his family is notified or release additional information, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported.

Officers were called to the scene after 8 p.m. Sunday, when shots were fired during an altercation where the officer and a male civilian later identified as a person of interest were shot. Police said another civilian, who was across the street, was also injured.

A separate person of interest was taken into police custody Sunday, Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said.