Justin Charleston, 17, was killed in a late-night shooting in East Chicago on March 14, 2025. ShotSpotter recorded eight gunshots around 11:16 p.m. in the area of the 3700 block of Dahlia Street. Officers searching the neighborhood located an unresponsive male near 3804 Erie Court and Commonwealth Avenue; medics pronounced Justin dead at the scene. The Lake County Coroner’s Office later ruled the death a homicide.

Investigators moved quickly. Within 24 hours, the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force identified a suspect and a 16-year-old male surrendered to authorities with his attorney. The teenager was charged with murder; his name was not released because of his age.

If anyone has information about Justin, the locations mentioned, or the events that night, please share what you know with investigators.