Rajesh Bhagwandeen, 26, was shot and killed on the evening of May 3, 2023, in Hammond, Indiana. Of Trinidadian and Indian descent and a practicing Hindu, Bhagwandeen was studying Automotive Technology with plans to open an auto shop with his brothers and enjoyed cars, especially his BMW.

Police say the shooting occurred at about 5:23 PM in the 800 block of 165th Street when a white box truck pulled up alongside Bhagwandeen’s BMW and multiple shots were fired into his vehicle. He was taken for medical care but died of his injuries. Hammond detectives recovered the suspect vehicle abandoned in the city and used that lead to identify a person of interest in Bridgeview, Illinois; that individual was taken into custody following cooperation with the Bridgeview Police Department.

If anyone knew Rajesh, his plans for an auto shop, or saw activity around 165th Street on May 3, please share what you remember.