On a summer evening in Michigan City, Indiana, the life of 34-year-old Leland Sinclair Collins was tragically cut short. On August 9, 2021, police responded to reports of gunfire in the parking lot of Eastside Liquors on East Michigan Boulevard. Arriving at the scene around 7:30 p.m., officers discovered Leland Collins with a life-threatening gunshot wound.
Emergency medical services were rendered at the scene, and he was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Leland, a devoted husband and father of five, was accompanied by a female companion at the time of the incident; she was fortunate to survive the attack. Known as a dedicated family man and business owner of No Limit Lawn Care, his sudden and violent death sent shockwaves through the community, leaving his loved ones to grapple with an immeasurable loss. He was remembered as a kind and helpful individual, always willing to lend a hand to those in need.
For nearly a year, the investigation into Leland's murder continued. A significant breakthrough in the case came in the summer of 2022. On July 12, 2022, an arrest warrant was issued for 41-year-old Lamar Friend of LaPorte, Indiana. Already incarcerated at the LaPorte County Jail on unrelated charges, Friend was served with the warrant and formally charged with the murder of Leland Collins and the attempted murder of his female companion. The legal proceedings against Lamar Friend were scheduled to begin with an initial court appearance on July 19, 2022.
