A July 4 block party at Gary ended in tragedy early Tuesday when shots were fired that killed three people and injured seven more.
The Lake County Forensic Office identified the victims as Ashanti Brown, 20, of Olympia Fields, Ill .; Laurence Mangum, 25, of Merrillville and Marquise Hall, 26, of Lafayette.
The coroner’s release said each victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Gary’s police responded to the shooting at about 12:45 a.m. on the island of 1900 on Missouri Street, in the old Marshalltown neighborhood, north of 21st Avenue.
Police found the three victims unresponsive and the coroner’s office declared them dead at the scene. The victims of the shootings were taken to hospitals in the area by first responders, as well as by personal cars, police said.
Gary police called for help from nearby police agencies because of the enormity of the scene, Lt. Dawn Westerfield said in a statement.
The investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to contact the Metro Homicide Unit, 219-755-3855 or the criminal information line at 866-274-6347.
Three people died early Tuesday in Gary when gunfire erupted after a block party on July 4 ended at the 1900 block of Missouri Street. (Carole Carlson / Post-Tribune)
Neighbors said the block party is an annual July 4th celebration with food and fireworks. A neighbor said an entire collection bed was full of fireworks that were set up at dusk on an empty lot.
They said about 150 people attended the event.
The shootings took place at the northern end of the block. There was only a small piece of yellow crime tape left on Tuesday afternoon.
Neighbor Betty Green said neighbors are organizing the party for the kids on the block. He said he helped organize it and cook the food.
He was already inside his house when the shooting broke out.
“I hate it with passion. I hate watching my people leave,” he said.
Gary Mayor Jerome Prince said crime remains his main concern.
“I am heartbroken and outraged that we continue to lose Gary residents to unnecessary violence, including those who have not reached adulthood. I never stop thinking about the victims and their families, and the incredible loss that these senseless deaths leave. “.
Prince hopes the new measures can reduce violence and create safer communities.
“We are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent and reduce armed violence, including investment in anti-violence initiatives that address the immediate crisis and address the systemic root causes of violence,” he said.
Carole Carlson is a Post-Tribune freelance journalist.