On Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at approximately 1:16 AM East Chicago Police Officers were dispatched to the area of 3545 Block Avenue, in reference to numerous shots fired in the area, according to Chief Jose Rivera. The ECPD ShotSpotter system alerted officers that 5 rounds were fired near that location. Officers proceeded to that location and did not locate anyone.
Officers then proceeded to St. Catherine Hospital to see if anyone came in with a gunshot wound. While exiting the hospital Officers observed a white van drive onto the emergency room ramp at a high rate of speed. Officers observed the passenger side door open and an adult female exited the van carrying an 8 year old male child. The child had an apparent gunshot wound to his head. The child was rushed inside the emergency room for treatment. The child subsequently succumbed to his wound and was pronounced deceased at the hospital, Rivera said.
Inside the van were three other children and two adults. All parties were removed from the van. The van was held for evidentiary purposes. Officers on scene secured the van, due to officers observing a firearm, spent shell casings, blood splatter and a 30 round magazine inside the van in plain view.
East Chicago Police preliminary investigation indicates that the shooting occurred in the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive (Guthrie Street) and Main Street. Detectives are still awaiting a formal statement from the witnesses and family members that were in the van with the child, Rivera said. The coroner arrived at the hospital while family was no longer there so names are pending.
The Criminal Investigation Division was called out to the scene to investigate the homicide and the Lake County Crime Lab was called out to process the scene. Anyone with any information can contact Detective Daniel Ponce at (dponce@eastchicago.com) or 219-391-8318. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact the tip line at 219-391-8500.
“Any time a child is the victim of senseless gun violence it affects and saddens us all,” Rivera added. “Thoughts, prayers and caring emoji’s on social media will not bring the shooter to justice. We need witnesses or anyone with information to come forward and cooperate with our Detectives. We can’t allow these cowardly thugs to randomly open fire in our community with impunity. Our department will use all the resources we have available to help us catch the shooter and any person involved in today’s homicide of an innocent child. We are encouraging anyone with any information to call our anonymous tip line at 219-391-8500.”
