Karriem Branch, 25, was found fatally shot in Gary, Indiana, after police responded to a weapons offense call on November 25, 2024, at about 2:00 a.m. Officers discovered Branch, described as a Black male who was reportedly homeless, lying unresponsive near the sidewalk of a residence in the 1300 block of West 47th Avenue; emergency personnel pronounced him dead at the scene. The Lake County Coroner’s Office ruled the death a homicide by gunshot wounds.

Preliminary accounts say Branch was involved in a confrontation with a homeowner and may have been attempting to enter the homeowner’s vehicle when he was shot. The homeowner was on scene when police arrived, was detained for questioning, and a firearm was recovered; he was taken to the Gary Police Department to give a statement. The Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force, the Gary Police Department and Lake County CSI are handling the investigation. No arrests have been announced and authorities have not released further details.

If anyone saw activity around West 47th Avenue that night or has information about Branch, please come forward to investigators.