Michael Cuccia, 41, was shot and killed in the early morning hours of July 5, 2019. Police were called to the parking lot of the Nada Food Mart on East University Avenue in Hammond at about 12:40 a.m., where they found Cuccia suffering from severe gunshot wounds; he died shortly after arrival of emergency personnel.

The Hammond Police Department opened a homicide investigation and within days identified a suspect. On July 8, 2019, 37-year-old Timmothy Berry of Hammond was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Executing a warrant at Berry’s residence, investigators also found a large quantity of narcotics, resulting in additional drug possession charges alongside the murder charge.

Those who knew Michael Cuccia or have information about the shooting are asked to come forward with any details that might help the ongoing case.