On a spring afternoon in Michigan City, Indiana, the life of 21-year-old Tyrese Morris-Cross was tragically cut short. It was May 20, 2021, when Morris-Cross, a Black male, was outside a residence in the 200 block of North Ridgeland Avenue with another individual. Suddenly, a sport utility vehicle drove past, and an occupant inside opened fire, striking both men.
Both victims were rushed from the scene in separate vehicles to Franciscan Health Michigan City Hospital.
From there, due to the severity of his injuries, Morris-Cross was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he succumbed to his life-threatening gunshot wounds. The other man, a 23-year-old, sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The investigation into the drive-by shooting spanned several months as detectives from the Michigan City Police Department conducted numerous interviews, reviewed video surveillance, and processed evidence. Their work ultimately led them to a suspect. In December 2021, authorities announced the arrest of 30-year-old Amond Nixon of Michigan City. He was charged with one count of murder for the death of Tyrese Morris-Cross and four counts of attempted murder, as it was later determined that four other individuals were also targeted in the shooting.
Nixon, who has a prior criminal history including convictions for robbery and dealing cocaine, was also charged with being a serious violent felon in possession of a firearm. At the time of his arrest for the murder, he was already incarcerated at the LaPorte County Jail on unrelated charges. A cash bond of one million dollars was set for the new charges related to the fatal shooting. The incident drew comments from Michigan City Police Chief Dion Campbell, who expressed his frustration with the 'No Snitch Culture' and emphasized the need for a community effort to quell the cycle of violence that had scarred another family.
