In the pre-dawn hours of a Sunday in August 2018, the sound of more than 15 gunshots shattered the quiet of an apartment complex in Merrillville, Indiana. When police arrived at the Broadmoor Country Club Apartments in the 3900 block of 77th Plaza shortly before 3 a.m., they discovered a grim scene. A car was found riddled with bullets, a testament to the violence that had just unfolded.
Inside the vehicle, on the passenger floorboard, lay the body of one victim, while another was found lying just outside.
The two victims were identified as 16-year-old Rickey J. Nelson and 18-year-old Jamar Hines, both from the nearby city of Gary. Both young men were pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds. Rickey, known to his loved ones as 'Rico,' was a student at Merrillville High School where he was a member of the thespian troupe. Described as a funny, clever, and good-spirited teenager, he was his mother's right-hand man and aimed to be a role model for his siblings. He was known for being a bit of a homebody who enjoyed spending time with his family.
In the wake of the double homicide, the community mourned the loss of the two young lives. An investigation was launched into the shooting deaths of Rickey Nelson and Jamar Hines. However, despite the violent nature of the crime, no immediate arrests were made in connection with the case. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths was ongoing, leaving a void of answers for their grieving families and community. As of the immediate reports following the incident, authorities had not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in the case.
