Tayjuan M. Hall, 19, of Hammond, has been formally charged following an investigation into the shooting deaths of two males in an alley in Hammond.

According to court documents, officers were dispatched at approximately 2:35 p.m. October 3 to an alley behind the 800 block of Truman Street for a report of two males who had been shot. Both victims were found deceased with apparent gunshot wounds to their heads. Investigators reported that no firearms were found on or around either victim, while several spent 9mm casings were recovered near the entrance to the alley.

A witness told investigators she observed a male shooting before running toward a waiting Buick Enclave and fleeing the area. Another witness reported seeing the suspect get into the vehicle after shooting at the victims.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the area that allegedly showed a tan Buick and a male wearing a white-and-blue hoodie. According to the affidavit, the male exited the passenger side of the Buick and began walking east on Michigan Street. Four males wearing all black were observed walking north on Calumet Avenue before turning east onto Michigan Street behind him. Investigators said the two eventual victims then separated from that group and ran into an alley while the other two males remained on Michigan Street.

Additional residential surveillance allegedly showed the Buick maneuvering through the neighborhood and eventually pulling alongside the male as he approached the alley. Investigators reported that the male appeared to speak with the driver before turning toward the alley, brandishing a black handgun and firing several rounds down the alley. He then allegedly entered the Buick and fled south.

Another surveillance camera allegedly captured one of the victims jogging east through the alley when he was shot. Investigators specifically noted that the victim did not appear to brandish a firearm before being shot.

Investigators subsequently located the Buick and seized it as evidence while also reviewing license plate reader records. According to court documents, the vehicle appeared on an LPR at a Hammond Walmart at approximately 2:13 p.m. on the day of the shooting and was captured again at approximately 2:23 p.m. traveling south on Calumet Avenue.

Walmart surveillance footage allegedly showed a male wearing the same white-and-blue hoodie, light jeans and dark shoes that investigators said were worn by the shooter. Walmart loss prevention personnel identified the individual as Hall and provided investigators with surveillance footage and an employee identification photograph.

Investigators said Walmart footage showed another employee leaving the store at approximately 2:12 p.m., getting into the driver’s seat of the Buick and driving it to the Walmart entrance. At approximately 2:14 p.m., Hall was allegedly captured leaving Walmart, approaching the passenger side of the Buick and speaking with the driver before getting into the passenger seat. The Buick then left the property. According to court documents, investigators were told both men had clocked out for lunch before leaving together.

Hall returned to work at approximately 2 p.m. October 4. According to the affidavit, an officer reported that Hall had cut off his afro in what the investigator described as appearing to be an attempt to alter his appearance. Hall was then arrested at Walmart.

Court documents state that Hall said he did not have a cellphone. Investigators, however, reviewed surveillance footage that allegedly showed Hall entering Walmart with a cellphone in his hand and up to his ear before leaving the locker room without it.

Investigators subsequently reviewed Hall’s movements inside the store and determined that he had allegedly given the phone to another employee. The employee initially told investigators that Hall had previously given her the phone but that she had given it back to him. Loss prevention personnel then reviewed surveillance footage and allegedly observed the employee conceal Hall’s cellphone in her clothing. When investigators approached her again, she surrendered the phone and acknowledged that Hall had given it to her.

During a subsequent interview, the employee told investigators that Hall and the other man said they had left Walmart to check on the other man’s cousin, who was recovering from a recent gunshot wound. She said Hall told her the cousin had informed them that a group of boys were watching him and that Hall saw the group walking past the home as he was leaving.

According to the affidavit, Hall told the employee that he was being chased by the boys and that they got into a “shoot-out.”

Investigators attempted to interview Hall, but he requested that a lawyer be present.

Lodged in the Lake County Jail.

Charges filed October 6, 2026:

Murder ( 2 counts)