On December 2, 2023, the community of Gary, Indiana, was shaken by the violent death of William Anderson Jr., a 13-year-old African American male who was fatally shot. The tragic incident occurred within the city limits, cutting short the life of a young teenager known affectionately by friends and peers as "3 lil scoom" or "11 lil scoom." William was a student at Aspire Charter Academy, where his sudden loss left a profound void among his classmates and teachers.
Following the shooting,
the Lake County Coroner's Office confirmed the identity of the young victim, and his death was ruled a homicide caused by gun violence. In the immediate aftermath, family members and the local community rallied to honor his memory, organizing vigils and lighting candles to express their collective grief. The online tributes painted a picture of a beloved youth who had his entire life ahead of him before it was abruptly ended by the gunfire that has plagued parts of the region.
Despite the public outcry and the severity of the crime, law enforcement authorities have not announced any arrests or identified specific suspects in connection with William's murder. While other recent cases involving juvenile victims in Gary have seen charges filed, such as the earlier 2023 killing of Orie Dodson, the investigation into William's death has not yet yielded similar public results. Detectives have continued to seek information from the public, urging anyone with knowledge of the events of that December day to come forward, but the case remains open as the family continues to wait for justice.
