One Dead, Seven Arrested in Really Stupid Shooting in Hammond

On October 1, 2025, the Hammond Police Department was notified that a male subject had arrived at North Oaks Medical Center suffering from a gunshot wound. Preliminary information indicated that he was shot in the area of Apple Street and King Ard Street.

Officers immediately responded to both the hospital and the suspected crime scene, where they secured the area and began processing evidence. Despite medical efforts, the victim, Antonio Brister,  20 years old of Hammond, succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.

During the course of the investigation, HPD detectives located the crime scene and determined multiple suspects approached the victim and fired at him from a wooded area approximately 51 yards away.

Detectives identified and interviewed several persons of interest and learned that a group was gathered at a residence on an adjacent street while the victim and several others were playing "opp" music and dancing on the corner of King Ard and Apple Street. The group at the residence felt disrespected by this and entered the woods near an abandoned house on Apple Street where they began shooting in the direction of the victim and his friends.  Unfortunately, a single round struck Brister causing his death. 

No other injuries or damage to property were reported.

The following arrests have been made:

• Amarion Dupree Nelson, 21 years old of Hammond: •Obstruction of justice, •Failure to report certain felonies, •Second degree murder, •Illegal discharge of a dangerous weapon, •Criminal Street Gangs and patterns of criminal gang activity
• Darius Matthews, 17 years old of Hammond: •Obstruction of justice, •Failure to report certain felonies, •Second degree murder, •Illegal discharge of a dangerous weapon, •Criminal Street Gangs and patterns of criminal gang activity
• Zakarey Smith, 18 years old of  Hammond: •Obstruction of justice, •Failure to report certain felonies, •Second degree murder, •Illegal discharge of a dangerous weapon, •Criminal Street Gangs and patterns of criminal gang activity
• Davonte Malik Hayes, 22 years old of Hammond: •Obstruction of justice, •Failure to report certain felonies, •Second degree murder, •Illegal discharge of a dangerous weapon, •Criminal Street Gangs and patterns of criminal gang activity
• Darius Ray Brown, 18 years old of Hammond: •Failure to report certain felonies, •Criminal Street Gangs and patterns of criminal gang activity, and •Principal to second degree murder
• Ja’Ray Mitchell, 21 years old of Hammond: •Failure to report certain felonies and •Criminal Street Gangs and patterns of criminal gang activity.  
• Tykeem Washington, 17 years old of Hammond. •Failure to report certain felonies and •Criminal Street Gangs and patterns of criminal gang activity.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.