Jarcques Gaston, a 23-year-old Black / African American male, was fatally shot on January 19, 2022, in Merrillville, Indiana. The incident occurred inside a bi-level home on the 7800 block of Hendricks Street, where police discovered Gaston lying face down on the inside steps. Investigators found shell casings on the landing and at the top of the stairs, and witnesses reported hearing several loud 'booms,' suggesting multiple gunshots were fired.
The investigation into Gaston's death led
to a suspect, 17-year-old Ryan J. Rose. Rose and Gaston had a history; they were reportedly friends years prior, but their relationship had soured. According to an affidavit, Rose claimed that about a week before the shooting, Gaston had sent him threatening text messages. On the day of the incident, Rose stated he believed Gaston was armed and about to pull something from his pocket, which prompted him to shoot.
In July 2022, Ryan J. Rose was formally charged with the murder of Jarcques Gaston. However, the legal proceedings took a significant turn when prosecutors later dropped the murder charge against him. The decision was based on the evidence presented during Rose's bail hearing, from which the prosecution concluded they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the shooting was not an act of self-defense. In an unrelated matter, in October 2025, a 21-year-old Ryan Rose was arrested at the same Hendricks Street address during a drug raid and faced pending drug charges. At that time, he was noted as a felon who had been previously arrested for murder.
Jarcques Gaston was remembered as a joyful and determined individual with a strong-minded and loving personality. A 2016 graduate of the Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy, he was a proud husband and a father to five children. His family and friends recalled his ability to light up any room and his love for making people laugh.
