In the summer of 2020, a senseless act of violence tragically cut short the life of 2-year-old Joette 'JoJo' Malone in Hammond, Indiana. On the evening of July 29th, the young girl was seated in the back of her mother's car at the Kennedy Crossing apartment complex. It was around 9:30 p.m. when gunfire erupted between two individuals, and a stray bullet pierced the vehicle, striking Joette in the head.
Her mother and siblings, who were also in the car, were physically unharmed but were left to witness the devastating event.
Joette was immediately airlifted to Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago to fight for her life. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, she succumbed to her injuries two days later. The community was left in shock and mourning over the loss of a vibrant toddler who was described by her mother as a 'shining star.' The Hammond Police Department, along with the FBI, launched a thorough investigation into the homicide, seeking to bring justice for Joette and her grieving family.
In their pursuit of those responsible, authorities released a composite sketch of a person of interest. The individual is described as a Black male, estimated to be between 16 and 25 years old, with a thin build. To encourage witnesses to come forward with any information, the FBI has offered a substantial reward for tips that lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect or suspects involved in the shooting. As of now, the case remains unsolved, and the search for those accountable for Joette's death continues.
