It was a tragic end to a routine day for Keith Dumas, a 47-year-old Black man from Gary, Indiana. On the morning of April 24, 2015, Dumas was out walking his dog, C.J., in the 400 block of Adams Street when gunfire suddenly erupted. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. His dog, C.J., was also shot in the leg during the attack.
The violent act left the community in shock.
Dumas was a father to two teenage daughters who were left to grieve his sudden and violent death. While police responded to the sound of shots, they had no immediate information about what led to the shooting or who might be responsible. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, no suspects were publicly identified, and no arrests were made, leaving the case unresolved.
Dumas's injured dog, C.J., was rushed to a local animal clinic by a police officer. The veterinarian determined that the dog's leg was too severely damaged and had to be amputated. The path of the bullet indicated that C.J. was running away when shot. Despite the traumatic ordeal, C.J. was expected to make a full recovery and was to be cared for by Dumas's daughters. The investigation into Keith Dumas's murder continued, as his family and community awaited answers and justice.
