EAST CHICAGO, Ind. — Two people were shot to death in downtown East Chicago late Friday afternoon.
Witnesses say the double homicide occurred around 4 p.m. near the corner of 139th & Main Street as Black Friday shoppers browsed and businesses and restaurants welcomed locals.
Initial information indicates that several men ambushed the two people killed in an SUV.
Officers pronounced one victim dead at the scene. The second victim was later declared dead at the hospital. Their names are pending identification from the Lake County Indiana Coroner’s Office.
Dozens of evidence markers were visible at the scene. One witness described hearing more than two dozen shots.
“I was on my way to work at the delivery place, and I heard about 25-30 shots,” said Jamar Scarbrough. “I really didn’t think about it, so I came to work, and once I came to work, I saw the police surrounding the area.”
Scarbrough said he doesn’t know what sparked the shooting.
“It’s a lot of violence out here,” he added.
Some businesses and residents are calling for more proactive policing. Law enforcement also asks anyone who can identify the shooters to come forward or call the East Chicago Police tipline at (219) 391-8500.