East Chicago Elementary School Teacher Shot In Domestic Incident
On December 3, 2023, at approximately 4:07 AM, East Chicago Officers were dispatched to 3590 Block Ave. in reference to an active disturbance, which lead to a Shot Spotter alert of one (1) round fired, according to East Chicago Police Chief Jose Rivera.
Upon arrival, Officers observed a female subject, later identified as 30-year-old female of Whiting, lying in the roadway appearing to have suffered a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Officers immediately requested medics for the victim. Officers were then advised by a witness that the suspect, who shot the victim was still on scene sitting inside her vehicle.
Officers approached the suspects’ vehicle and ordered the female suspect, who was later identified as 27-year-old Martina Martinez of Hobart, out of the vehicle. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun was recovered from her vehicle.
Officers spoke with the victim on scene and she stated that she was dropping off her boyfriend at his house after bonding him out at the Lake County Jail. When she approached her boyfriend’s address, she observed the suspect arrive moments later. She observed the suspect exit her vehicle and approach her, in an aggressive manner. The victim further stated she was still sitting in her vehicle when the suspect approached the vehicle, opened the door and began striking her with a closed fist.
The witness then stated that moments later, the suspect walked away from her and went back to her vehicle, however, she immediately returned brandishing a firearm. The victim then exited the vehicle and was struck in the face with the firearm by the suspect. The victim then stated she attempted to disarm the suspect when the suspect fired one shot at her striking her in the stomach.
East Chicago Criminal Investigation Division was called out to investigate the scene. RNS was told by friends of the victim that she is an elementary school teacher and was previously friends with the suspect before this altercation. It’s unclear why this escalated the way it did at this time.
On Monday December 4, 2023 Detectives were able to secure charges against the suspect. The suspect was charged with 1 count of aggravated assault with a firearm, which is a level 3 felony. The suspect was subsequently transported to the Lake County Jail to be processed.
