In the early morning hours of January 23, 2017, the life of 44-year-old Carmelle Erbie Cajuste was tragically cut short in a burst of gunfire. Responding to a call in the 1300 block of Truman Street in Hammond, Indiana, police discovered Cajuste near the front door of a residence with a fatal gunshot wound to her head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident, which unfolded around 6 a.m., also left two other individuals, a 36-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, critically
injured. Investigators quickly identified a suspect, Joseph E. Barner, who authorities stated had gone to Cajuste's home and opened fire. A manhunt for Barner, who was considered armed and dangerous, ensued.
Later that same evening, the search for Barner came to a close when he was located and arrested without incident in Lynwood, Illinois. Following his apprehension, Barner was charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Court records later revealed that he pleaded guilty but mentally ill in connection with the fatal shooting.
