Two Men Shot and Killed Outside East Chicago Bar as Neighborhood Hit by Gunfire
Two men were shot and killed early Sunday morning outside OJ’s Game Over bar in East Chicago, Indiana, leaving investigators searching for suspects and local residents dealing with significant property damage in the surrounding residential area.
At approximately 1:48 a.m., officers with the East Chicago Police Department responded to a ShotSpotter alert near the establishment located at 151st Street and Indianapolis Boulevard. The acoustic gunfire detection technology recorded 17 rounds fired initially, followed by another 15 rounds seconds later at the same location.
Officers Find Two Fatally Wounded Men
Officers arriving at the scene discovered two men lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Semiautomatic handguns were found next to both bodies, police said. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second was transported to Powers Health St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities identified both victims as East Chicago residents. One was 20 years old, and the other was 36 years old. Officials were still working on notifying next of kin as the investigation unfolded.
Two Men Killed in Early Morning Shooting in East Chicago; ShotSpotter Detected 32 Gunshots https://t.co/qvMyCzNDCH #RegionNews
The violence was not contained to the immediate exterior of the bar. Several neighboring homes and vehicles sustained bullet strikes. Residents reported shattered car windows, damaged tires, and bullet holes piercing siding and property in the adjacent residential blocks.
Task Force Hunts Remaining Shooter
The Lake County Homicide Task Force is leading the investigation into the double homicide. While the exact motive remains unclear, police believe at least one other shooter remains on the run.
“No respect was given. That’s a residential area. Several vehicles were hit, several homes. And we know somebody saw something. They were leaving the bar and people were in that bar,” East Chicago Police Chief Jose Rivera said. “We can’t do this alone. Our officers responded within seconds, but we can’t be everywhere, but we know people were there.”
Chief Rivera noted that the department has previously investigated complaints and incidents at OJ’s Game Over bar, which has been the subject of several open investigations, including a recent battery and drug case.
Investigators stated that it remains unclear how many total shooters were involved or what specific events precipitated the gunfire. Police are urging anyone with information, video footage, or photographs of the incident to contact the East Chicago Police Department Tip Line at 219-391-8500.
East Chicago police are investigating a deadly shooting at a bar. Police said semi-automatic weapons were found at the scene. https://t.co/C70mQ8RZbm
