A Hammond man was charged with murder Thursday for allegedly killing his girlfriend’s cousin.
Raymond Ramsey, 51, is in custody, held without bail.
Hammond Police responded June 23 to the 1600 block of 171st Place.
There, they found Jimmy Spears, 63, of Hammond, who was shot in the chest, lying on his back in the basement. Paramedics took him to the hospital where he died.
A man alerted police who just arrived that Ramsey and another woman were trying to drive off. Officers stopped them.
Earlier that evening, Ramsey allegedly poured gasoline around his girlfriend’s bed around 11:30 p.m. or midnight — seeding further arguments with her, as well as her father and brother, then Sparks, who all lived there.
“I was gonna kill her,” Ramsey told her relative.
At the home, officers found a spent bullet casing on the basement stairs – alleging Ramsey shot down at Spears.
Ramsey’s girlfriend gave conflicting stories.
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Another relative said they heard Ramsey arguing with Spears.
“I ain’t worried about none of y’all,” he said. “This is what I do.”
Then, the man heard a shot.
Ramsey told police the other woman was his “friend.” He told police he “accidentally” kicked over a lawnmower gas can in the bedroom. The interview ended when he asked for a lawyer.
Anyone with more information can call Det. David Pardonek at 219-853-6490.