Crime & Safety
Lake County, IN Walmart Murder: Victim Identified, Suspect Charged
Hammond, IN – A 21 year old Chicago woman has been identified as the victim of a deadly shooting inside a Hammond Walmart, and a 22 year old Joliet man is now facing a murder charge following the inci
By Mason Reid · 2026-11-04T16:22:43.342Z
Hammond, IN – A 21 year old Chicago woman has been identified as the victim of a deadly shooting inside a Hammond Walmart, and a 22 year old Joliet man is now facing a murder charge following the incident Monday morning.
According to the Hammond Police Department , the victim was identified Wednesday as Dakota Norwood, 21, of Chicago, Illinois. She was working at the north Hammond Walmart on Nov. 2, 2026, when an encounter with a man she knew allegedly escalated into a deadly confrontation.
Police said officers were called to the store at approximately 9:09 a.m. Monday after an off duty Hammond police officer working store security reported that a shooting had occurred and a suspect was already in custody.
Preliminary findings indicate Norwood was involved in a conversation with the suspect before the situation escalated into a physical altercation.
Investigators allege the suspect then retrieved a firearm and shot Norwood multiple times. She died from her injuries.
Authorities identified the suspect as Dorian Kevon Robertson, 22, of Joliet, Illinois. Robertson has been charged with murder and transported to the Lake County Jail.
Police also confirmed that Norwood and Robertson knew each other and had been involved in a relationship. However, investigators emphasized that the exact nature and duration of that relationship remain under investigation.
The shooting has drawn attention across Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago metropolitan area, with the victim and suspect connected to communities on both sides of the Illinois Indiana state line.
The Hammond Police Department extended condolences to Norwood's family, friends and coworkers as the investigation continues.
Authorities have not announced additional charges or released further details about what led to the confrontation.
Robertson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.