Charges Secured After Woman Was Shot & Killed Unintentionally Driving
A 20-year-old Gary man has been arrested and charged with the Murder of Kia Tidwell, 42, of Portage, that occurred last September in Gary. Tidwell a mother of 6 was driving home from her father’s when a stray bullet hit her.
In a press conference held this evening Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon stated, a combination of tips from the community, the Gary Real Time Crime Center analyzing video, shell casing chemistry, and social media evidence played a huge role in bringing justice for Kia Tidwell.
The suspect identified as Tedric Guy Jr, 20, of Gary was charged this week. Tedric was charged with Murder, 3 counts of Attempted Murder, and 4 counts of Criminal Recklessness with the additional firearm enhancement charge added to it, which brings a max sentence of 55-65 years.
Back on September 06, 2024, at approximately 8:03 PM, The Gary Police Department received a call for service reference a disturbance at the McDonalds, located at 1527 West 5th Ave in Gary, according to Commander Jack Hamady of the Gary Police.
Officers arrived on scene and met with the complainant who advised that there was a disturbance inside and that the individuals left on foot. While officers were on scene, they heard a loud disturbance near Lincoln Street. Officers began to approach the large group when shots were heard from behind the apartment building. Officers were pinned down at their location as several shots were fired, Hamady stated.
Officers observed a red vehicle that was not involved in the shooting, eastbound on 5th Ave passing Mcdonalds when the driver sustained a gunshot wound crashing their vehicle into a tree. The Gary Fire Department was requested to the scene and when they arrived Tidwell had already succumbed to her injury.
Kia’s family said, “she was a crusader for her community, killed by the violence she worked tirelessly to prevent.”
A combination of agencies assisted in this case including ATF, Lake County Prosecutors Homicide Task Force, Gary Police, and Great Lakes Task Force.
