EAST CHICAGO, Ind. — Two men were fatally shot early Sunday outside a bar in Northwest Indiana, authorities said.
East Chicago police said ShotSpotter technology detected dozens of gunshots shortly before 2 a.m. near OJ’s Game Over Bar on 151st Street. A 20-year-old man and a 36-year-old man were killed.
After the shooting, bullet holes were visible in nearby vehicles and homes, underscoring the danger the gunfire posed to people living in the neighborhood.
Audrey DeAvila, who lives behind the bar, said she heard the gunfire and ran outside to help the wounded men before officers arrived.
“It was uncalled for, it was unnecessary and it was so wasteful. So wasteful. Two lives, are you serious? For what?” DeAvila said.
DeAvila said she and another woman attempted to save one of the victims.
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“Me and his girlfriend were trying to stop the blood, try to apply pressure. We tried CPR. We tried, and that poor baby. He was so young,” she said.
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More than 30 rounds were fired, police said. Investigators recovered two semiautomatic handguns lying on the ground beside the victims.
Police have not identified a motive. East Chicago Police Chief Jose Rivera said the gunfire put nearby residents at serious risk.
“No respect was given. That’s a residential area. Several vehicles. Several homes,” Rivera said.
DeAvila recalled the emotional scene as she worked to help one of the victims.
“The only prayer I could think of was Hail Mary, and I said it with him because you could literally see the life circling in this man’s eyes. Why? For what? Over crazy words,” she said.
Investigators are asking residents to check home security footage from the area and provide any information that may help solve the case. No arrests have been announced as the Joint Agency Homicide Task Force continues its investigation.
