UPDATE ON MERRILLVILLE HOMICIDE
On 6/8/2023 at approximately 11:15 PM, Merrillville Police Officers were dispatched the 6400 block of Mississippi Street for a report of gunshot victim, according to Merrillville Police.
Officers arrived a short time later and located Michael Lehman who had been shot numerous times. Medics arrived a short time later and began to treat the victim. Lehman was later transported by helicopter to a Chicago based hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition.
Officers continued to search the area and located Ashley Bitikofer, 34, of Portage who was pronounced deceased on scene as a result several gunshot wounds.
Merrillville Detectives began to investigate the case in an attempt to identify a suspect. Detectives were able to quickly identify a suspect through witness statements and other evidentiary means. They identified the suspect to be Dejuan Boyd Mcintyre. Mcintyre was previously in a tumultuous relationship with Bitikofer that they ended a few months prior.
On 6/9/2023 at approximately 5:00 PM, Merrillville Detectives obtained a search warrant for Mcintyre and his residence in Gary. Merrillville Detectives were assisted by the Merrillville Tactical Apprehension Squad (MTAS) in serving the warrant at the residence. Mcintyre peacefully surrendered and was taken into custody.
On 6/10/2023 Detective Van Rite submitted charges in this case to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against Mcintyre for 1 count of Murder and 1 count of attempted murder through the Lake Superior Court. He currently is in custody at the Lake County Jail.
This is an ongoing investigation and if you have any information – please contact Det. Van Rite at 219-769-3531 ext 349 or avanrite@merrillville.in.gov.
Original Story – https://regionnewssource.org/female-killed-male-airlifted-after-merrillville-shooting/?fbclid=IwAR0ZmKK2LsxZyYxJvBrQGK-_JCIMtCv7MN7zk15n9gbuk1Q-vDEfMSldQa4_aem_th_AQiDRwVJ4Q0YG8kT9xGIY1QwIJThNVOOO5CAJ4Ibx-vx6fV5fYT9MZfRjYFV8_FdXzY&mibextid=Zxz2cZ
