East Chicago Man Charged After Gun Fire Strikes Occupied Apartment With Children Inside
Elias R. Thomas of East Chicago is facing felony charges after police say he fired a rifle into an occupied apartment while a mother and her two juvenile children were inside.
According to court documents, on February 5, 2026, East Chicago Police were dispatched to the 4400 block of Olcott Avenue in reference to shots fired. While canvasing the area, officers located multiple spent shell casings in the alleyway between buildings in the 4400 block. The shell casings were observed to be of .223/5.56 caliber ammunition. Officers also observed multiple apparent bullet holes to the rear door, exterior wall, and window area of an apartment in the 4400 block of Olcott Avenue, consistent with bullet impacts.
The woman who lived in the apartment told police she believed she knew who was responsible for the shooting and advised that her two young children were present inside the home during the incident.
Investigators reviewed surveillance video from a nearby bank on 145th Street, a neighboring residence, and several city cameras. Video showed a white Kia K5 with a black roof entering the alley and stopping between residences in the 4400 block of Olcott Avenue. The driver, wearing a black hoodie with the hood up and red pants, exited the vehicle with what police described as a rifle-style weapon and pointed it toward the apartment. Dust and debris could be seen coming from the building from the point of impact before the person reentered the vehicle and drove away.
License plate reader technology captured the same vehicle, bearing an Indiana “In God We Trust” license plate traveling through East Chicago shortly before and after the shooting. Police later located the vehicle on the 4200 block of Hidalgo Lane and conducted a traffic stop. Elias Thomas was seated in the front passenger seat and was detained and transported to the East Chicago Police Department.
During interviews, Thomas initially denied involvement. The following day, Thomas asked to speak with detectives again and admitted he was responsible for shooting the building.
Thomas told detectives he selected that location because of social media activity he had seen involving the woman who lived there. According to court documents, Thomas stated he had previously seen videos and social media comments made by the resident which he believed were directed at a family member and implying threats. Thomas told detectives those posts caused him to “snap.” He said he did not personally know the woman and did not know what apartment she lived in, but knew the location from the videos and online activity he had observed.
Thomas described the weapon as a black .300 Blackout rifle-style firearm without a stock. He told detectives he did not recall all the details of the incident because he “blacked out.”
Records reflect Thomas is currently on parole for a prior weapon offense after being convicted in Cook County, Illinois in 2022 for Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm.
Police confirmed the apartment was occupied at the time by the woman and her two juvenile children.
Charges filed February 7,2026:
• Criminal Recklessness — Shooting a firearm into an occupied dwelling (Level 5 Felony)
• Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun — Prior felony conviction within 15 years (Level 5 Felony)
