Post-Prom Party Shooting in Northwest Indiana Leaves One Teen Dead, Two Wounded

MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana – A post-prom celebration turned tragic late Saturday night when three teenagers were shot at a house in Northwest Indiana, leaving one juvenile dead and two others wounded.

The shooting occurred around 11 p.m. at a home on Liberty Avenue in Pine Township, according to Porter County Police. The Michigan City Area Schools district confirmed that several Michigan City High School students were involved in the off-campus incident following prom activities.

Kimberly Horn, a nearby resident, told reporters she was watching a television show that depicted gunfire and did not initially realize real shots were being fired outside her home. Her attention was drawn to the danger only when a picture frame fell off the wall.

“Yes, it did come into my house,” Horn said, describing the bullet’s path. After turning on her living room light, she could see the bullet on her carpet. Police later informed her that a bullet had gone through her front door and one hit her entertainment center. “Well, that was kind of scary,” she said of the experience.

Outside, Liberty Avenue was crowded with parked cars belonging to students attending the after-prom party. Neighbors reported that in the commotion, a mailbox was knocked over and people ran into wooded areas to escape.

Porter County Police confirmed that one juvenile died at the scene. An 18-year-old female and a male juvenile were also wounded and transported for medical treatment.

The timing of the violence—the night before Mother’s Day—was not lost on Horn. “I, my heart goes out to the families, you know, that have lost somebody or have somebody in the hospital,” she said. “My heart goes out to the families.”

The Michigan City Area Schools district released a statement saying, “Our thoughts are with the students, families and everyone impacted during this difficult time. Counseling and support resources will be available to our students and staff.”

Neighbors told reporters that the house where the party took place was often rented as an Airbnb property and that there had never been trouble there before.

Sheriff’s police said the public is not in danger. They have not disclosed a possible motive for the shooting, which they described as an isolated incident.