Juan Mares, 29, of Hammond, is facing charges after police say he fatally shot a man inside a home in Hammond.
According to court documents, officers with the Hammond Police Department were dispatched on April 16, 2026, at approximately 12:23 p.m. to a residence in the 6500 block of Arkansas Avenue in reference to a reported assault involving a firearm. Upon arrival, officers were met by a hysterical female who directed them to the basement of the home, stating “he is downstairs.”
Officers entered the residence and observed blood on the staircase leading to the basement, along with spent rifle casings. Once inside the basement, officers located a male, later identified as Matthew Sadowski, lying on his back in a partially dried pool of blood. Police observed severe trauma to the victim’s face and head. A blue AR-style firearm was located on a bed nearby, appearing to have a malfunction.
Investigators later determined Sadowski had sustained twelve gunshot wounds, all to the head and face area, and that the shots were fired at close range. Approximately 25 spent .223 caliber shell casings were recovered from the basement, all believed to have been fired from a single firearm.
Police learned the victim resided at the home with Mares, who was not present when the victim was discovered. Family members told investigators there had been ongoing conflict between the two, including a recent physical altercation days prior that left Mares with visible injuries.
According to court documents, surveillance video from a nearby residence showed the victim arriving home on April 15, 2026, at approximately 4:35 p.m., and no other individuals or vehicles were observed approaching the residence between that time and when the victim was later found deceased.
During the investigation, detectives contacted Mares by phone, where family members identified his voice. During those conversations, Mares admitted he had been involved in a physical altercation with the victim and made statements indicating his involvement in the killing, telling family members “Yeah… I did it” and later stating, “I made a mistake.”
Police say Mares also stated he left the area after the incident using an Uber.
Later that same day, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Mares arrived at the Hammond Police Department and turned himself in. He requested an attorney when questioned, and the interview was terminated before he was taken into custody.
Authorities also observed Mares had visible injuries, including bruising around his eye and multiple scratches on his face and neck that appeared to be in the process of healing.
Lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charge filed April 17,2026
Murder
