Crime
Five People, Including Three Children, Found Dead in Northwest Indiana Home
Lake Station, Indiana – Authorities have identified the five individuals found dead inside a home in Lake Station on Friday afternoon, February 23, 2025.
Officers from the Lake Station Police Department conducted a welfare check at approximately 2:44 p.m. at a residence in the 6700 block of 9th Avenue.
Upon entering the home, officers discovered five deceased individuals, including three young children.
On Saturday, February 24, the Lake County Coroner’s Office confirmed that all five individuals had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
The victims were identified as:
- Alayna Payne, 4 (homicide)
- Ava Payne, 6 (homicide)
- Aurorah Payne, 7 (homicide)
- Briana Payne, 27 (homicide)
- Robert Payne, 31 (manner of death pending)
The coroner officially ruled the deaths of Briana Payne and the three children as homicides.
However, the manner of death for Robert Payne remains under investigation, and officials have not yet classified it as either a homicide or suicide.
Lake Station Police have stated that they believe the incident was isolated and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
However, authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances of the deaths, potential suspects, or any possible motives.
The Lake Station Police Department, along with the Lake County Coroner’s Office, continues to investigate the case.
Authorities have urged the public to remain patient as they work to determine the exact sequence of events.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Lake Station Police Department or submit an anonymous tip through local crime reporting channels.
This remains a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more details become available.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.