The Indiana State Police has released the names of the two Chesterton Police officers who exchanged gunfire with a man, who after being hit several times, turned the gun on himself June 18 on Gateway Boulevard in front of the Hilton Garden Inn.

The Post-Tribune is choosing not to reveal their names because it is an ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, information has also emerged that shows a possible motive for why the confrontation between Joseph P. Gerber and two Chesterton police officers escalated into a shootout.

The younger of the two officers involved — a 33-year-old man who was a 5-year veteran — was wounded during the shootout. He was taken to an Illinois hospital, released and is expected to make a full recovery.

The other officer, a lieutenant with 22 years plus experience in Chesterton, was not hurt.

Both men were placed on paid leave.

Gerber, 45, of Winamac, died at the scene as the Porter County Coroner’s office ruled the case a suicide.State Police are continuing their investigation.

Police were originally called by a Hilton Garden Inn employee because a man — later identified as Gerber — was acting suspiciously. Gerber was not a registered guest at the hotel.

According to online records, Elkhart County issued a warrant for Gerber’s arrest on June 17, the day before the shooting, with a note that he be held without bond. Gerber had violated the terms of his probation from a 2019 case in which he pleaded guilty to armed robbery, a Level 3 felony.

Gerber had a lengthy criminal history, including an April 2019 guilty plea to armed robbery, a Level 3 felony, and a misdemeanor count of unlawful use of a police radio, court records show

He was sentenced to 12 years in the Indiana Department of Correction, with six years suspended and credit for just over a year served in jail. His sentence was modified in December 2023 after a probation violation, and he was to serve the rest of his time with Michiana Community Corrections.

It’s not immediately clear from online records how Gerber violated the terms of his probation most recently. The notice of violation was filed on June 16 by Michiana Community Corrections.

alavalley@chicagotribune.com

Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.