Jazmine R. Avery, 28, of Gary, was charged June 13 after police alleged she threatened her husband with an axe, swung the weapon at him multiple times, and engaged in a violent domestic altercation while two children were inside the home.
According to court documents, Gary police responded at approximately 5:14 p.m. June 12 to a residence in the 4400 block of Louisiana Place after both Avery and her husband separately called 911. Avery reportedly told dispatchers her husband was intoxicated and had attacked her with an axe, while her husband reported that Avery had attacked him with an axe, scissors and bitten him.
When officers arrived, they found furniture scattered outside the residence and the front door standing open. Police reported encountering Avery inside the home wearing only a black top while attempting to put on gray sweatpants. According to court documents, Avery told officers to wait while she finished dressing. The responding officer reported that while putting on her pants, she bent over and shook her buttocks toward him, behavior he described as odd. Officers also observed what appeared to be blood in her hair and on her head, along with scratches on her arm.
Police said the home’s interior contained garbage, dirty clothing, broken glass and debris throughout several rooms. Court records indicate Child Protective Services later determined the residence was in poor condition for children.
According to court documents, Avery’s husband told investigators the couple had been cleaning the home when an argument erupted after Avery accused him of stealing her Black & Mild Smooths, a tobacco product. He told police Avery had been drinking Peach Amsterdam liquor before the dispute began. He later told police the argument expanded to include a disagreement over a shampoo bottle. He alleged Avery became increasingly angry, kicked open a bedroom door, armed herself with an axe and threatened him during the confrontation.
Avery told police she and her husband had been arguing and admitted she “has a mouth on her” but claimed he had disrespected her. She told officers she felt threatened when he exited a room carrying a metal pole and maintained she was acting in self-defense. Avery also admitted possessing the axe and later acknowledged biting her husband during the struggle.
Investigators reviewed a cellphone video recorded during the incident. Court documents allege the video showed Avery holding an axe, threatening her husband by saying, “Bitch I will kill you,” and swinging the weapon at least three times while he attempted to defend himself with an extended scraper pole. Police said the video also showed Avery throwing objects, including a lamp that shattered on the floor. Investigators further reported that Avery smiled and stuck out her tongue toward the camera while holding the axe before allegedly lunging at her husband.
Court records state the husband suffered a large hematoma to his forehead, scratches to his neck and chest, bite marks to his shoulder and arm, and a cut to his hand. Avery sustained a head injury that later required three staples.
While being taken into custody, police reported Avery pleaded to be released and admitted she had “messed up.” During transport to the hospital, she allegedly continued discussing the incident, claiming her husband had stolen her Black & Mild Smooths and repeatedly disrespected her.
Child Protective Services responded to the scene and removed the children from the residence, placing them with relatives while the condition of the home was addressed.
Lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed June 13, 2026:
- Domestic Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 Felony)
- Intimidation While Using a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 Felony)
- Domestic Battery Committed in the Presence of a Child Under 16 (Level 6 Felony)
- Neglect of a Dependent (Level 6 Felony) – 2 counts
- Domestic Battery (Class A Misdemeanor)
