Man shoots romantic rival multiple times, triggering SWAT standoff, Indiana cops say

A man accused of shooting his romantic rival multiple times was arrested following a SWAT team investigation, Indiana authorities say.

The shooting happened Monday, March 3, in Portage, but the Portage Police Department said the victim was discovered in a different location.

The 28-year-old victim had been shot in the arm and leg, police said. He was flown to a trauma center and is expected to survive.

Police said the man accused in the shooting, 27-year-old Jim Ferguson, was involved in a “romantic rivalry” with the other man. Officers in nearby Lowell discovered Ferguson’s vehicle outside a home March 4, leading to a SWAT team response.

As law enforcement responded to the home, two women and a baby voluntarily left as Ferguson remained inside, police said.

Ferguson did not surrender, even after multiple negotiation attempts from the SWAT team, according to the investigators.

“After approximately two hours of unsuccessful attempts to obtain Mr. Ferguson’s surrender, a chemical agent was deployed into the residence to drive him out,” police said. “This tactic proved effective, and Mr. Ferguson was taken into custody without further incident.”

Ferguson, of Chicago, was charged with aggravated battery and was also charged with several warrants from Lake County.

Portage is about a 40-mile drive southeast from Chicago.

This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 11:07 AM with the headline "Man shoots romantic rival multiple times, triggering SWAT standoff, Indiana cops say."