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Gary, IND. On Monday, September 9, the City of Gary Police Department held a press conference, appealing to the public for any information about a fatal shooting that took place last week. During the briefing, city officials shared details of the incident.
“While the overall homicide rate is down by 25%, we are fighting every day to make Gary safer,” stated Mayor Eddie Melton. “I want to be very clear that one life lost is too many. To the citizens of Gary, we will not allow violence to define our city or shake the foundation of the community we are working to build.”
Gary Police have been working to find leads in the case.
“I want to be clear that we are trying to bring closure to this bereaved family,” stated Chief of Police Derrick Cannon. “We have spent hours canvassing, collecting evidence, and reviewing footage. We have been intentional, and we are here to ask the public to join in our efforts.”
On Friday, September 6, 2024, at approximately 8:03 PM, the Gary Police Department received a call regarding a disturbance at the McDonald’s located at 1527 West 5th Avenue, Gary, Indiana. Upon arrival, officers met with the complainant who reported a disturbance inside the establishment, with the individuals involved having left on foot.
While on the scene, officers heard a loud disturbance near Lincoln Street. As they approached the large group, shots were fired from behind an apartment building, pinning the officers down. During this time, a red vehicle, unrelated to the shooting, was observed traveling eastbound on 5th Avenue past McDonald’s. The driver, 42-year-old female, Kia Tidwell from Gary, Indiana, sustained a gunshot wound and subsequently crashed into a tree.
Despite the prompt arrival of the Gary Fire Department, Tidwell tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Tidwell was on the phone with her daughter at the time of the incident. She heard her mother call on Jesus before the call abruptly ended.
“My daughter had just left my house,” stated the victim’s mother, Charlotte Tidwell. “She said she was going home to cook for her children. I’m just thankful they weren’t in the car with her because they were supposed to be.”
Kia Tidwell was a mother of six. Family and friends described her as a selfless woman who loved and cared for everyone around her.
“No words can ease the pain that you’re feeling right now,” stated Mayor Eddie Melton as he addressed the family. “But I want them to know we stand right by them.”
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force, Lake County CSI, and the Lake County Coroner’s are assisting in the investigation.
“We know for a fact that several people know who did the shooting,” stated Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter. “We’re asking them to come forward and work with us and work with our investigators so we can bring some sense of justice to the family.”
As the family and community mourn this devastating loss, we urgently request the public’s assistance in providing any information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible. If you have any information, please contact Detective Roger Escutia directly at 219-755-3855, send an email to rescutia@isp.in.gov, or use the anonymous Text to Tip line at (219) 207-TIPS (8477). Any videos can be emailed to garypdrtcc@gary.gov.
Media Contact:
Erika Blackwell
cell: (219) 292-1251
em: eblackwell@gary.gov
