Five killed in Gary in six days

GARY, Ind. (STNG) -- The fiancee of Gary's latest murder victim said she asked him not to visit the Brunswick neighborhood where he was shot and killed Wednesday.

Terry Flournoy Jr., 36, became the fifth person in six days to be killed in Gary when he failed to heed that warning. Witnesses said they heard several gunshots before Flournoy was found dead in a purple Pontiac Sunfire in the 700 block of Hovey Street.

Flournoy, who lived in the 8900 block of E. 6th Drive, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Lake County Coroner's office.

"People have been getting killed left and right over here," Mya Gauldin, who identified herself as Flournoy's fiancee and the mother of his 3-month-old son, said.

Terry Flournoy Sr., the victim's father, said his son was a Gary native who attended Roosevelt High School. He said at the scene he was still seeking answers about his son's death.

"He's got friends out here," Terry Flournoy Sr. said of his son.

Gauldin said she and the victim had been engaged since Oct. 7, and she said she is the owner of the car in which he was shot.

Several people gathered around the crime scene as police began their investigation. Among the onlookers was Mayor Rudy Clay, who asked people living in the neighborhood to help police catch the killer.

"The neighbors have got to tell us what's going on," Clay said.

Gary's latest string of homicides started Friday with the shooting deaths of Lillie and Doressa Miller in the 700 block of Tyler Street. The next day, 50-year-old Tommie Hardy was found stabbed to death in the 1400 block of West 15th Avenue. Joseph King Jr., meanwhile, was shot to death in his basement in the 300 block of Pierce Street late Monday night.

Earlier Wednesday, Clay announced a new group of reserve officers have been assigned to supplement manpower at the Gary Police Department. Overall, Clay said, the crime rate in Gary has dropped by 43 percent.

The mayor first announced the plan to police at roll call Tuesday, where he said he received plenty of feedback from the officers.

"They were grateful that I was there to answer their questions," Clay said.

Chief Reginald Harris recently said he had asked his detectives to join in patrols of Gary's high-crime areas. Clay has also invited mayors, police chiefs and pawn shop owners in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties to meet about the sale of stolen goods.

"Criminals are not selling stolen goods in Sunday School," Clay said. "It is believed that pawn shops are their haven. In Gary, we are not going to take it anymore."

The number of homicides in Gary so far this year is believed to be 46, although that number could not be confirmed by authorities. The city recorded 51 homicides last year.