Gary man shot in chest described as hero by police

GARY, Ind. (AP) - A man shot in the chest protecting a dozen or more children from gunfire is being hailed as a hero.

Steven Johnson, 54, was listed in fair condition at The Methodist Hospitals in Gary on Thursday, two days after he was shot.

"If he didn't get those kids out of the way, one of them would have been hit in the shooting," Detective Jeff Hemphill said.

Hemphill said he is still trying to piece together the events leading to the exchange of gunfire about noon Tuesday.

"There were about 15 kids playing in the area. Mr. Johnson heard the shots and ran out to gather them up and get them indoors," Hemphill said. Johnson was shot in the chest but "still managed to get the children in before he collapsed," Hemphill said.

Crime scene investigations detectives recovered at least eight shell casings from the areas where shots were fired, police said.

Information from: Post-Tribune, http://www.post-trib.com