Murder Suspect Caught After Pursuit Wednesday
GARY — A Gary man accused of fatally shooting an 18-year-old during a large group fight in October has been arrested following a vehicle pursuit Wednesday, according to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
Deonte Capree Taylor, 32, of Gary, was taken into custody Wednesday morning on an outstanding warrant for the October 19, 2025 homicide of Darviar Anthony, 18, of Gary. Taylor had been formally charged on October 27 after a detailed investigation by Detective Jason Szemes of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force and the Indiana State Excise Police.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Lake County Superior Court, Detective Szemes was called to 1248 East 36th Place on the night of October 19, where officers found multiple 9mm shell casings and blood evidence. Anthony had been shot several times and later died at Methodist Northlake Hospital.
Multiple witnesses described a planned physical fight involving about a dozen juveniles, with numerous adults standing nearby. Testimony indicates that as the fight was breaking up, a white Pontiac pulled up to the scene. Witnesses consistently identified the passenger of that vehicle, later named as Taylor, as the individual who opened fire.
One witness told investigators he saw the shooter stand over Anthony after the first shots and fire additional rounds into his body, saying the gunman stated, “He’s still breathing,” before leaving the area. Another witness said they had come to break up the fight when the Pontiac arrived and shots were fired into Anthony at close range.
A juvenile who participated in the fight also stated he saw the suspect exit the Pontiac with a silver handgun, believed to be a Taurus, and shoot Anthony unprovoked.
The driver of the Pontiac told detectives he had driven his cousin, identified in a photo lineup as Deonte Taylor, to the scene after receiving a call about juveniles attempting to fight near his home. The driver said Taylor became upset during the scuffle, asking, “Why would you punch me when you see me holding this gun?” Moments later Taylor fired multiple shots into Anthony, then walked up and fired again.
The driver told investigators he feared Taylor might shoot him if he didn’t drive him away from the scene. He said Taylor still had the handgun when he dropped him off near 21st Avenue and Carolina Street.
All witnesses interviewed stated Anthony was unarmed, and no firearm was found near his body.
A check of Taylor’s criminal history revealed a prior 2012 armed robbery conviction in Berrien County, Michigan, making him a serious violent felon under Indiana law. Taylor now faces charges of:
• Murder
• Possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon
• Felony firearm enhancement
If convicted on all counts, Taylor could face upwards of 85 years in prison.
Detective Szemes, assisted by the Indiana State Police, Gary Police Department, East Chicago Police, Lake County CSI, and the Lake County Coroner’s Office, continued investigating the case until Taylor was located and arrested this morning following a vehicle pursuit.
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office thanked all agencies involved for their “prompt investigation and dedication.”
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Jason Szemes at 219-755-3855.
