Javon Townsend Killed and Two Others Injured in Shooting at Northwest Indiana After-Prom Party

A night of celebration turned into a tragedy for Michigan City High School students when a shooting erupted at an after-prom party in Pine Township. Authorities have identified the deceased victim as 17-year-old Javon Townsend, a junior who was fatally shot while attending the gathering late Saturday night.

The shooting occurred around 11:00 p.m. at a residence in the 1700 block of Liberty Avenue, a home neighbors say is frequently used as a vacation rental. According to the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, the violence reportedly stemmed from a fight that escalated into gunfire. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with one neighbor reporting hearing between 25 and 30 shots fired. The gunfire was so intense that it shattered windows of nearby homes, though no neighbors were struck.

Javon Townsend was shot three times and later died at Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City. His grandmother, Alesia Vinson, expressed the family's profound grief, noting that the young man would never have the chance to graduate or experience his own senior prom. In addition to Townsend, an 18-year-old woman identified as Ginger White and another 17-year-old male were injured in the attack. White’s mother reported that her daughter was shot while running for cover moments after arriving at the party, eventually rolling under a car to hide. Both surviving victims remain hospitalized in Chicago.

Michigan City Area Schools issued a statement confirming the incident involved several of its students and announced that counseling and support resources would be available at the high school. Police believe the shooting was an isolated incident, but no suspects have been taken into custody at this time.

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the homicide and seeking leads from the community. A $5,000 reward is currently being offered for any information that leads to an arrest in connection with the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact local authorities.