Lake County, IN – The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office reports a major milestone in homicide investigations this year, citing an 83% clearance rate for 2025 cases and a 46% drop in overall homicide rates across Gary and East Chicago since 2022.
According to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, the Homicide Task Force achieved measurable progress through “relentless commitment” and “strong interagency collaboration.” The team includes detectives from Gary Police, East Chicago Police, Indiana State Police, and several municipal agencies.
The office’s latest review highlights that Task Force detectives assisted in eight murder trials during 2025, helped secure convictions for at least 22 defendants, and supported efforts to deny bond to 18 murder suspects. Collectively, these cases resulted in more than a millennium of combined sentencing accountability for homicide-related offenses.
Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter praised investigators for their dedication, saying their work “represents a victim, a family, and a community seeking justice.” Carter credited advancements in technology, coordination with local departments, and continuous adaptation as keys to sustained success.
Officials also extended gratitude to local leadership, including Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and East Chicago Mayor Copeland, for their continued support of public-safety initiatives and cross-jurisdictional partnerships.
“This level of collaboration and shared responsibility makes our county safer,” Carter said.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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