Lorraine Reyna Obituary, Death – A tragic shooting at a Northwest Indiana pub early Sunday morning left two people dead and three others injured, according to Hammond police. The incident occurred at Portside Pub, located at 1516 Indianapolis Boulevard, and has shaken the local community.
Hammond police officers responded to reports of gunfire around 4 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered five people suffering from gunshot wounds. Sadly, two of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
One of the deceased was a bartender who worked at the pub, while the other was identified by family members as Lorraine Reyna. Friends and loved ones are mourning their loss, with Johnny Jernigan, a close friend of Reyna, expressing his deep frustration and sorrow. “We were supposed to celebrate a birthday here today. Now, it’s anything but a celebration,” Jernigan said.
According to Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, the violence erupted as a result of a domestic dispute that began in the parking lot. He stated that the two victims were simply trying to intervene and diffuse the situation when they were fatally shot. “They were good Samaritans, just trying to help, and they lost their lives because of it,” McDermott said.
The three surviving victims were rushed to local hospitals for treatment. Two remain in serious condition, while the third is reported to be stable. The victims’ identities have not been publicly released.
Paola Gaeta, who arrived at the scene in search of her brother, later learned that he was among the wounded. “I couldn’t reach him. His car was still here,” Gaeta said, adding that he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
As police conducted their investigation, one southbound lane of Indianapolis Boulevard was temporarily closed. Officers worked to gather evidence, while the pub’s front door, riddled with bullet holes, became a solemn reminder of the violence that had occurred just hours earlier.
Community members expressed their heartbreak and frustration over the tragedy. Angelica Negron-Jernigan, a close friend of Reyna, voiced concerns over the ongoing issue of gun violence. “It’s so disheartening. This gun violence has to stop,” she said.
Authorities have confirmed that the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute, though no arrests have been made yet. Mayor McDermott stated that police have identified a suspect and are confident that an arrest will be made soon. “We know who it is. We’re going to get him,” McDermott said.
Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward by contacting them at 219-852-2906. As of now, no additional details about the suspect or the investigation have been released.
The tragic loss of life at Portside Pub has left the community in mourning, with friends and family of the victims calling for justice. As the investigation continues, authorities remain committed to apprehending the suspect and preventing further violence in the community.
