A shooting last night in downtown Hammond left two people injured and led to a police pursuit that ended in four arrests, according to the Hammond Police Department.
Shots were fired into a crowd near North Cate Street at approximately 11:57 p.m., where officers were already assigned to the area for crowd control. Police said two individuals were injured and were believed to be involved in the incident.
Officers on scene witnessed the shooting, and a uniformed officer returned fire as multiple suspects fled in a vehicle. A pursuit followed and ended when the suspects’ vehicle crashed.
One suspect was injured in the crash, while others were taken into custody. The driver’s identity remains unknown, authorities said.
The shooting occurred in the parking lot outside the popular bar, The Brown Door, impacting many students celebrating Cinco de Mayo, as well as sorority and fraternity events.
“We turned and saw the flash of the gun and heard all the shots. We ducked and covered by a car, and all the cops were running to the bar when more shots were fired, which was very scary. We all got locked inside the brown door until everything died down,” said freshman general studies major Rease Metro.
During the investigation, officers seized multiple firearms, including some that had been modified to function as fully automatic weapons using a “switch,” according to police.
The Hammond Police Department Criminal Investigations Division responded to process the scene and collect evidence.
“I walked into The Brown Door to get my ID when a bouncer came in yelling to get down and lock the doors. No one knew what was going on and that a shooting had happened. I was then grabbed and pulled to the ground, while others were still dancing and drinking,” said freshman painting and art history major Sophia Jukes.
Four individuals have been arrested and charged with principal to attempted second-degree homicide, illegal use of a dangerous weapon, unlawful handling of a machine gun and possession of marijuana.
Cariwon Finley, 26, of Hammond; Altavian Baldwin, 25, of Independence; Cordell Jackson, 21, of Independence; Altrevia Byrd, 24, of Independence.
“This is yet another example of young individuals who fear no consequence for their actions. This situation had a huge potential for loss of life if it were not for the quick actions of all our officers who were on scene when it occurred,” said Edwin Bergeron Jr. in a statement.
Authorities said the suspects fled the scene immediately after the shooting, leading to a pursuit that ended in a crash. One suspect sustained injuries in the crash.
“My roommate and I heard gunshots around midnight and saw police chasing the suspects in front of our dorm,” said freshman Chemesty and chemical engineer
Major Denver Hurst.
The incident remains under active investigation. Authorities are asking anyone who knows the driver’s identity or has information to contact the Hammond Police Department.
