An argument between a father and son turned violent quickly Thursday evening as the two men both began shooting at each other inside the family home, police said Friday.
Hours later, Clifford Flemming Sr., 59, was pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood of gunshot wounds to his head and leg, police said. A spokeswoman for the Cook County medical examiner said an autopsy will be performed Saturday.
Flemming’s 32-year-old son was taken into custody at the scene, but later released, police said.
Investigators say the son’s actions appear to be justified. The case will be presented to the Lake County prosecutor for a final decision.
Shortly before 6 p.m., patrolmen Nicholas Sanchez and Michael Mitchell went to the Flemming home in the 700 block of Tyler Street for “a violent disturbance that involved shots fired,” the police report states.
The victim’s ex-wife told Sgt. Brock Brnicky that her son had shot her ex-husband. Police found the wounded man on the floor outside an upstairs bathroom. Her son, whose clothing was covered in blood, was not wounded and told officers he was trying to help his father. He was wearing a handgun on his hip, the report states.
Investigators found a second handgun under the victim.
Police described the father-son relationship as “contentious.”
Detective James Bond said that like so many violent crimes, this family tragedy could have been avoided. “It’s an unfortunate situation. If people would just take time to calm down, just walk away, before things escalate.”
Flemming is the 17th homicide victim of the year. At this time in 2014, the city had recorded 10 homicides. Gary didn’t experience its 17th homicide last year until July 7.
Contact Lori Caldwell at [email protected]