More than eight years after 19-year-old Jack Daniel was gunned down in Gary during what investigators say was a planned robbery, two men are now facing murder charges following a renewed cold case investigation.
On June 24, 2026, Detective Nicholas Wardrip of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force and Assistant Chief of the Hobart Police Department secured charges against Willie Terrell Wallace Jr., 26, and Rashad Jerome McCoy, 28, in connection with Daniel’s March 11, 2018 homicide.
According to court documents, Daniel was found shot multiple times inside a gold Astro van in the 5100 block of Georgia Street in Gary. The Lake County Coroner determined he died from three gunshot wounds. Crime scene investigators recovered multiple 9mm shell casings, spent bullets, and fingerprint evidence from the vehicle.
The probable cause affidavit states Wardrip reopened and reviewed the original investigation, re-interviewed witnesses, analyzed forensic evidence, and examined digital records that had not previously resulted in charges.
Investigators say fingerprint evidence recovered from the driver’s door of Daniel’s van matched Rashad McCoy. Ballistics testing also indicated shell casings recovered from the scene were fired from two different firearms.
Authorities allege Wallace and McCoy lured Daniel to the Georgia Street location under the guise of a marijuana transaction that was actually intended to be a robbery.
According to court records, one witness, who was a juvenile at the time, told investigators Wallace instructed them to contact Daniel to arrange the meeting.
The witness said Daniel drove them to the apartments on Georgia Street where a blue Dodge Dart pulled alongside the van. Wallace and McCoy allegedly exited the Dodge armed with handguns before approaching Daniel’s vehicle.
The witness told investigators Daniel attempted to flee by putting the van in reverse before Wallace allegedly opened fire. McCoy allegedly fired additional rounds into the van while the witness ducked down for cover.
Investigators say Daniel’s van struck a parked vehicle before coming to rest. Daniel died at the scene.
Court documents state investigators recovered Facebook records showing frequent communication between Wallace and McCoy before the homicide, including messages allegedly discussing meeting on the day Daniel was killed.
Investigators also obtained surveillance images from a nearby residence that they believe corroborate witness statements by showing a blue Dodge Dart in the area around the time of the shooting.
During interviews, McCoy denied involvement but admitted knowing Daniel and Wallace and acknowledged previously owning a blue Dodge Dart matching witness descriptions. He also admitted living near the crime scene in 2018.
Charges Filed
Both Wallace and McCoy have been charged with:
- Murder
- Felony Murder
- Attempted Armed Robbery (Level 3 Felony)
- Attempted Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury (Level 3 Felony)
- Attempted Robbery (Level 5 Felony)
- Firearm enhancements attached to each felony count
If convicted, each could face more than 85 years in prison.
Wallace was arrested in Wisconsin and is awaiting extradition to Indiana. McCoy is already in custody in Indiana serving an unrelated prison sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force, which includes the Hobart Police Department, Indiana State Excise Police, Indiana State Police, East Chicago Police Department, Gary Police Department, and the Lake County Coroner’s Office. The FBI’s Gang Response Investigative Team (GRIT) and the Lake County Crime Scene Investigation Unit also assisted.
Authorities continue to seek additional information about Jack Daniel’s homicide. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Assistant Chief Nicholas Wardrip at 219-900-4388.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
