In the warm evening of July 3, 2021, Blake Blakemore, a 26-year-old male from Gary, Indiana, was at Memorial Park in Hammond. The park was filled with people enjoying the Hammond Day Festival. Shortly after 11 p.m., the festive atmosphere was shattered by the sound of gunfire.
When the chaos subsided, it was discovered that four individuals had been shot. Blake Blakemore and another young man, 20-year-old Larry Brown Jr. of Chicago, sustained fatal injuries.
Two other victims were wounded but were reported to be in stable condition. The Hammond Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the shooting.
In the immediate aftermath, authorities appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the identification and apprehension of those responsible for the violence that cut short the lives of Blakemore and Brown. The Hammond Mayor, Thomas M. McDermott Jr., expressed his profound dismay over the tragic events and made the decision to cancel the festival for future years, citing safety concerns.
Despite the ongoing investigation by the Hammond Police Department and public appeals for information, there have been no reports of any arrests being made or suspects being identified in connection with the shooting at Memorial Park. The case remains an open investigation as authorities continue to seek leads to bring justice to the families of Blake Blakemore and Larry Brown Jr.
