Valparaiso Teen Charged After Allegedly Firing Gun Into Neighbor’s Apartment
A 17-year-old Valparaiso resident is facing felony charges after allegedly discharging a firearm inside his apartment, causing a bullet to travel through a shared wall and into a neighboring unit.
According to court documents, the incident occurred around 2:44 a.m. on May 18, 2025, when officers were dispatched to a residence on E. Chicago St. following reports of a gunshot. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the reporting tenant, who showed them where a bullet had pierced the wall and struck the ceiling of a bedroom.
Police determined that the shot originated from the adjacent unit, which shares a common wall. Officers made contact with Tae’shaun Armand Jamar Eckwood, who initially denied having a firearm but later admitted to discharging a 9mm handgun inside his residence. He told officers he pulled the trigger to “verify the loaded status of the firearm.”
During a protective sweep of the apartment, officers also located a vape style THC cartridge. Eckwood reportedly admitted to taking the device from his girlfriend and said he attempted to smoke it before planning to throw it away.
On May 19, 2025, Eckwood was charged with:
- Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 Felony)
- Possession of Marijuana (Class B Misdemeanor)
Eckwood is currently lodged in the Porter County Jail.
