Seventeen-year-old Javon Townsend of Michigan City, Indiana, was fatally shot during a post-prom gathering on the night of Saturday, May 9, 2026. The party was held at a short-term rental in the 1700 block of Liberty Avenue in Pine Township, near the Porter and LaPorte County line. An autopsy later showed Townsend sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Two other Michigan City students were wounded that night: 17-year-old Jeremiah Heard, who was shot in the diaphragm and required surgery, and an 18-year-old female. Neighbors described dozens of young people fleeing the scene in panic. Michigan City Area Schools arranged counseling and support for students and staff after the shooting.

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office described the attack as an isolated incident and conducted evidence collection and witness interviews, but by May 2026 no arrests had been announced. A $5,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest.

If anyone attended that gathering or has information about the shooting, please share what you know.