CROWN POINT | Prosecutors on Tuesday filed charges against a Gary man in the slaying of another man during an apparent burglary at the victim's home in October.
Javonta Pointer, 18, of Gary, is charged with murder in the perpetration of a robbery, court records show.
Jerry Hood Jr., 48, died of multiple gunshot wounds Oct. 19 at his home in the 2200 block of Eighth Avenue, according to the Lake County coroner's office.
On Tuesday, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson's office announced the charges against Pointer, stating the suspect is currently at large and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Days after the fatal shooting, Police Chief Wade Ingram led an antiviolence march at Hood's home asking the community to come forward with any leads.
"After that march, we had an (outpouring) of support," Ingram is quoted as saying in the mayor's release. "This goes to show that we want and need help from the citizens so we can get criminals off the streets in Gary."
Hood was shot as he walked into his home while it was being burglarized, the release states.
"I know this won't bring Mr. Hood back, but I hope that his family finds comfort once the accused is captured, tried and convicted," Freeman-Wilson stated in the release.
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