CROWN POINT — A Lake County jury has found Allen Oscar Woods guilty of murder and a firearm enhancement in connection with the December 2024 shooting death of Tiffany Woods in Hammond.
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office announced the verdict following Woods’ trial in Lake Superior Court. Sentencing is scheduled for October 27, 2026.
The case stems from the December 27, 2024, fatal shooting of Tiffany Woods near Jackson Avenue and Cleveland Street in Hammond.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hammond Police were dispatched shortly after 12:20 p.m. after receiving reports of a man shooting at a woman. Officers arriving in the area found Tiffany Woods lying near the east alley of Jackson Avenue suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said witnesses reported seeing a man chasing Woods southbound through the alley before shooting her. According to the affidavit, witnesses described the gunman firing multiple times as Woods attempted to flee.
Police later obtained surveillance video from nearby homes that investigators said showed the suspect chasing Woods through the neighborhood. Additional video reviewed by detectives allegedly showed the suspect returning to a residence on Jackson Avenue shortly after the shooting.
The affidavit states investigators identified Allen Woods as the suspect through witness accounts, surveillance footage and other evidence collected during the investigation. Police also learned Allen Woods and Tiffany Woods were related.
According to investigators, Allen Woods had allegedly expressed anger toward Tiffany before the shooting and had made previous threats against her. Those allegations were part of the evidence detailed in the probable cause affidavit and preceded the jury’s guilty verdict.
The jury ultimately found Woods guilty of murder and determined that a firearm enhancement applied.
Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter credited Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Arturo Balcazar and Shannon Phillips, Victim/Witness Assistant Caitlin Dziewicki, Hammond Police investigators and other law enforcement and forensic personnel who worked on the case.
“This verdict reflects the tremendous amount of work that goes into investigating and prosecuting a violent crime,” Carter said. “We remain committed to holding those who commit acts of violence accountable and to seeking justice for victims and their families.”
The Prosecutor’s Office specifically recognized Hammond Police Lead Detective Daniel Mahoi and numerous other Hammond officers and investigators, along with personnel from the Lake County Coroner’s Office, Indiana State Police and ViaPath for their contributions to the investigation and prosecution.
Woods is scheduled to return to Lake Superior Court for sentencing on October 27.
