Gary Man Convicted of Murder of 13 Year Old with Firearm and Gang Enhancements
A Lake County jury has found a Gary man guilty of murder and two sentencing enhancements tied to firearm use and gang activity, according to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
Court documents show that Dahvee Tupac Brunson was convicted on July 25, 2025, of committing a fatal shooting in Gary of 13-year-old Orie Dodson. The case, tried in Lake Superior Court, included allegations that Brunson used a firearm during the killing and that the crime was connected to gang involvement.
Brunson was convicted of the following:
- Murder
- Handgun Sentencing Enhancement – Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony
- Criminal Gang Sentencing Enhancement – Gang-related offense
Brunson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 26, 2025, before Lake Superior Court Judge Samuel Cappas.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Kasey Dafoe and Tim Brown.
Statement from Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter:
“I would like to commend Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Dafoe and Tim Brown for their outstanding work and dedication to the prosecution of this case. This verdict is a testament to their professionalism and the collaborative efforts of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force, the Gary Police Department, and other law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to protect and serve our communities.”
