Jullius Javonte Brooks, a 39-year-old Black / African American male, lost his life on August 13, 2022, following a dispute at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Hammond, Indiana. The incident that led to his death began with a disagreement during a pickup basketball game.
An altercation occurred when Brooks allegedly pulled the hair of a 10-year-old boy and threw a basketball in his face. The boy's father, 40-year-old Darren A.
Ferguson, was informed of the incident and went to the park to confront Brooks. The confrontation escalated, and Ferguson admitted to shooting Brooks multiple times.
When Hammond police arrived at the park around 7:00 PM, they found Jullius Brooks on the ground with gunshot wounds. He was transported to Franciscan Health in Hammond, where he was pronounced dead. The Lake County Coroner's office later ruled his death a homicide.
Darren A. Ferguson was taken into custody following the shooting and was subsequently charged with murder. He was convicted of the murder of Jullius Brooks, and the conviction was later upheld by the Indiana Court of Appeals. Court documents indicated that Ferguson acted out of anger and a desire to protect his son.
