Three Shot At EC Bar But Police Say Victims Not Cooperative
Early Sunday morning at approximately 12:14 AM Officers were dispatched to the area of 2020 Broadway in East Chicago (El Sombrero Bar) in reference to multiple shot spotter alerts in that area, according to Deputy Chief Jose Rivera of the East Chicago Police.
Upon arrival Officers located a 32 year old female outside the bar with a graze wound to her head. The female was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital in stable condition, Rivera said. While Officers were still processing the scene they were advised by dispatch that two males were dropped off at St. Catherine’s Hospital with gunshot wounds.
Officers responded to St. Catherine’s Hospital and were advised that a 27 year old male with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and a 23 year old male with a gunshot wound to the left arm were just dropped off at the emergency room. Officers located the vehicle that dropped them off and made contact with the driver who was identified as 28 year old Lonnie Tappler of Merrillville, Indiana. Mr. Tappler had two active warrants out of East Chicago for his arrest, Rivera stated. Tappler was taken into custody for the warrants. A 9mm handgun was recovered from inside his vehicle, but it is unknown at this time if it was used in the shooting, Rivera told RNS.
Two of the three victims were extremely uncooperative and refused to speak with officers. The 23 year old male with the gunshot wound to his left arm checked himself out the hospital against Doctors advice not to.
Same situation occurred Saturday morning, 01/16/2021 at approximately 11:31 AM when officers were dispatched to the area of 3934 Fir Street in reference to a shot spotter notification, Rivera said. Upon arrival officers searched the area for any victims or suspects. While Officers were checking the area dispatch advised Officers that a gunshot victim was just dropped off at St. Catherine’s Hospital. Officers responded to St. Catherine’s Hospital and were advised that a 27 year old male victim from Gary, sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the neck area. This male was also uncooperative and refused to answer questions regarding his injuries.
Anyone with any information regarding these shootings can contact The East Chicago anonymous tip line at 219-391-8500 or contact Detective Carina Acevedo at 219-391-8318 or cacevedo@eastchicago.com.
