Gunfire during a July Fourth block party in Indiana left three people dead and seven wounded early Tuesday, police said.
The shooting happened in a residential neighborhood of Gary at about 12:45 a.m. Officers who responded found three people down and unresponsive, city police Lt. Dawn Westerfield said.
The wounded were taken to hospitals, Westerfield said. Authorities did not release information on the severity of their injuries.
Westerfield said investigators were trying to determine the circumstances of the shooting, including whether more than one shooter was involved. Police said early information suggests the shooting began during what was probably a holiday block party.
The Lake County coroner’s office identified those killed as 20-year-old Ashanti Brown, 26-year-old Marquise Hall, and 25-year-old Laurence Mangum.
A local church pastor who said he spent much of the holiday Monday, watching the news coverage of the deadly parade shooting in Highland Park. He said young people need better guidance.
“You don’t need weapons of war in a civilized society. It is always better to talk if you have a disagreement, instead of first thing you do is fight. Its not really fighting when you just pull out a gun and start shooting,” said Reverend W.N. Reed of New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.
Gary police have still not responded to questions about the shooter or if they have anyone in custody. Lake County Metro Homicide Division is handling the investigation.
Due to the enormity of the scene, mutual aid was requested from surrounding police agencies.
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact the Metro Homicide Unit at 219-755-3855 or the Crime Tip Line at 866-CRIME-GP.
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