A 17-year-old boy has been identified as the fatal shooting victim from Saturday night’s after-prom party at a rented house in the Town of Pines, according to the LaPorte County coroner.
Javon Townsend of Michigan City suffered three gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at 11:35 p.m. at Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City, said LaPorte County Coroner Lynn Swanson.
Townsend was a Michigan City High School student, said Megan Daurer, director of communications for Michigan City Area Schools.
Swanson said she has not ruled yet on Townsend’s cause of death because no one is in custody.
A LaPorte County pathologist will perform the autopsy.
An 18-year-old woman and a juvenile boy were also shot during the incident, which occurred around 11 p.m. at a house in the 1700 block of Liberty Avenue. Their identities haven’t been released.
Neighbors noted there were multiple gunshots fired and that several youngsters immediately fled from the party and left in vehicles. Liberty Avenue is a short connecting road between U.S. 12 and U.S. 20.
Those who stayed at the party were ordered to the ground by the law enforcement officers who descended on the scene.
One of the shots fired went through the front door of a woman who lives directly across the street from where the party took place. Neighbors said the home where the party took place is rented out by the owner, usually to those who vacation in the Indiana Dunes.
The Porter County Sheriff’s Department, which is the primary law enforcement agency, was not releasing any new details Monday.
Meanwhile, the Michigan City Area Schools issued a statement, stating that they were “grieving” following the tragic incident involving Michigan City Schools students this past weekend.
“Our thoughts are with the students, families, friends and everyone impacted during this difficult time. Additional counseling and support resources will be available for our students and staff.”
“We encourage families to check in with their students and contact their school if additional support is needed. As our school community processes this, we will continue to support one another in the days ahead.”
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.