Christian Barnes, a 21-year-old from Michigan City who was described as an artist, dancer, rapper and drummer, was shot and killed behind the 500 block of E. Ridge Road in Gary on September 10, 2025. Responders found him in an alley during the late hours of the Wednesday; a Lake County Coroner’s investigator pronounced him dead just before midnight and an autopsy ruled the cause of death gunshot wounds. Barnes was a father to two sons, Kyree Williams and Canari Barnes, and family members remembered him as having the biggest smile while also being loyal, protective and serious when needed.

The Gary Police Department, Gary Fire Department, Lake County Sheriff’s CSI unit and the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force are jointly handling the investigation. No suspects, motive or arrests have been publicly identified. If anyone has information about what happened that night, please contact the Gary Police Detective Bureau or the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force.