05252017 - News Article - Investigation complete in Portage police involved shooting

Investigation complete in Portage police involved shooting
NWI Times
May 25, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/investigation-complete-in-portage-police-involved-shooting/article_2d210fcd-4802-551d-879e-10b1baa4d702.html

VALPARAISO — The Porter County Sheriff's Department has wrapped up its investigation of the Portage police officer, who shot and killed a man April 22 during a traffic stop.

The results of the investigation have been turned over to the Porter County prosecutor's office, according to Sgt. Jamie Erow, public information officer at the sheriff's department.

Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel said Wednesday morning he expects to complete his review of the investigation by the end of the week.

William Spates, 39, of Portage, was shot by Portage police Officer Grant Crizer.

Spates attempted to run over Crizer during the traffic stop in the driveway of a home on Royal Avenue, according to the sheriff's department, which investigated the shooting with the assistance of the Indiana State Police.

Crizer reportedly stopped the blue 2004 Jeep Liberty at approximately 1:47 a.m. and Spates pulled into the driveway. At some point the suspect put his vehicle into reverse and accelerated rapidly into the officer’s fully-marked squad car, striking it, police said.


Witnesses initially reported hearing the officer yelling commands to the driver, and an engine revving, followed by six to seven shots, according police. Police could not say whether all the shots were fired by Crizer or if Spates had a weapon.

Spates had been released from jail on bond hours before the shooting. He had been arrested April 19 and accused of battering his wife and two children.

His home is just around the corner from where the shooting occurred.

Crizer, 34, was put on paid administrative leave. He was hired by the Portage police on Aug. 17, 2014 and had previously served on the Lake Station Police Department since January 2008.

About 50 people held a prayer walk and vigil May 7 on behalf of Spates outside his home in the 2700 block of Brown Street.