Two Charged In Black Oak Homicide
On September 11, 2021 around 1:49 AM Gary Police & Fire responded to 6201 W. 25th Ave in reference to male who had been shot next to a vehicle in an abandoned lot, according to Gary Police Commander Jack Hamady. The male succumbed to his injury on scene and was later identified by The Lake County Coroner as Andrew Lukacek, 28, of Gary.
A Probable Cause Affidavit statement from a witness said the victim Lukacek was called to Tavern In The Oaks bar by a recent ex girlfriend, now identified as Felicia Nelson of Gary. Felicia was believed to had called Lukacek around 1 AM to see if a friend of his could score her and a group of friends Cocaine. Witnesses described Felicia Nelson as an ex girlfriend to Lukacek of recent weeks and that she had been confused and not herself in recent weeks as she was seeing another man for over a month.
Two of the friends who were at the abandoned lot were not able to enter the bar because they did not have an ID so they stayed out near their parked vehicles across from the bar. Felicia was going in and out of the bar sneaking drinks to the two people who could not get in, a witness stated.
Around 1:30 AM Lukacek arrived and walked up to Felicia’s vehicle. That’s when witnesses described a white suv pull up and Felicia’s boyfriend / new fiancé exited the vehicle and confronted Lukacek. That male has now been identified as David Cotto aka Bapo. Witnesses stated Cotto said, “Oh this is the demo your cheating on me, I’m about to air this b**** out.” Cotto then pulled out a gun and shot Lukacek and fled the scene Northbound on Colfax.
The day of the homicide Felicia took her children and went with David Cotto to a hotel near Walmart. Felicia and David both believed if they are married she would not have to testify against David for the murder, the affidavit stated.
On September 24, 2021, David Cotto was found at Felicia’s house in Gary by US Marshals. David was hiding in the attic when he was arrested, the affidavit stated.
Felicia Nelson was believed at this point to be assisting or harboring David Cotto by providing shelter, as they are preparing to leave the area, selling the home, and marry each other to prevent any future legal issues they may encounter with the murder of Andrew Lukacek.
Nelson was charged with a Level 5 Felony of Assisting A Criminal With Murder.
David Cotto was charged with Murder – Class X Felony with an enhancement charge of using a firearm to commit the offense.
