On a summer day in Gary, Indiana, the life of a beloved local mechanic was cut short in a tragic act of violence. Antonio D. Tolbert, a 41-year-old Black male, was found shot to death inside his auto repair business on July 28, 2014. A customer, who had been in contact with Tolbert earlier that morning about car repairs, made the grim discovery. After arriving at the shop and receiving no response to texts or knocks, the customer found the door unlocked and entered, only to find Tolbert lying
on the floor.
Known affectionately as Tony, he had a passion for cars that began at the young age of 13 and culminated in his dream of owning his own business. His family and friends remembered him as a kind, generous, and well-respected man who was always willing to help others. A graduate of Horace Mann High School and a former U.S. Marine, Tolbert was a loving father to two daughters. His death sent shockwaves through the community, leaving his loved ones grappling with the senseless loss of a man described as the backbone of his family.
The irony of Tolbert's murder was not lost on the city of Gary, as it occurred on the very same day that a new police chief was announced with the promise of tackling the city's escalating violent crime. The investigation into Tolbert's death became one of the first major cases for the new leadership. Despite the efforts of the police department, no arrests have been made in connection with his murder, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The lack of resolution in his case has been a continued source of pain and frustration for his family and the community, who still await justice for his untimely death.
