Fight At EC Car Show Leads To Shooting
On October 1, 2023 at approximately 3:45 PM East Chicago Police Officers were working the Stunna Beach Bash Custom Car Show and Sound Competition at Jeorse Park Beach when officers were informed that a fight was occurring in front of the casino, according to East Chicago Police.
Two Officers went to check on the alleged fight in front of the casino while the other two officers stayed back where the event was occurring. A short time later organizers from the event approached the two officers that stayed back and stated that the fight was actually in front of the stage at the event.
Chief Jose Rivera and Deputy Chief Justin Orange responded to the fight near the stage. As they both approached the two individuals involved in the disturbance a separate group of spectators came to assist them in calming the two men down. Chief Rivera and Deputy Chief Orange then began to clear the area when they heard several gunshots come from in front of the stage area. At that time Chief Rivera requested assistance from surrounding agencies, due to the shots being fired into a large crowd, which created panic amongst the attendees.
Chief Rivera then observed a male black wearing all black shooting several more rounds into the crowd then running away. Chief Rivera gave chase and ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. The suspect continued to flee between vehicles in the parking lot. Chief Rivera caught up to the suspect and ordered him to the ground at gun point. The suspect then tossed the gun on the hood of a vehicle and complied with the Chiefs order. Chief Rivera recovered the weapon and requested medical assistance for the suspect who was later transported to a Chicago area hospital in stable condition. Three other spectators were shot. One was transported to St. Catherine Hospital with non-life threating injuries and two others transported themselves to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.
East Chicago Criminal Investigation Division is currently investigating the case. A preliminary investigation indicates that there were two shooters, which were the 2 men originally involved in the disturbance. The first male was transported to a Chicago area hospital in stable condition and the second individual turned himself in to the Criminal Investigation Division. Both weapons have been recovered.
The EC Criminal Investigation Division is currently conducting interviews and viewing video footage of the event. This is still an ongoing investigation and no more information will be released at this time.
(Headline photo shows East Chicago Police Chief in green holding the suspect in black at gunpoint.)
