Christopher G. Gordon, arrested and charged with the murder of Stephen Davis

P R E S S     R E L E A S E

May 5, 2014

Immediate Release

Mark J. Becker, Chief of Police, today made the following announcement.

Christopher G. Gordon, a 21 year old resident of East Chicago resident, has been arrested and charged with the murder of Stephen Davis, which took place on May 3, 2014 in the 3900 block of Elm Street, East Chicago, Indiana.  Davis had been shot several times outside his residence, according to a probable cause affidavit filed on today’s date by East Chicago Police Detective Maurice Phillips, the lead investigator assigned to this matter. 

On the day of the shooting, East Chicago Police Officers responded to the event and as they did, a black male, later identified as Gordon, was observed running from the area. An off duty officer, assigned to the Region STOP Team, was in the area as well and was able to catch and detain Gordon pending further investigation.

Becker credited the outstanding work of both the patrol officers and the detectives who worked as a team and were able to resolve this matter so quickly.  The Lake County Sheriff’s crime scene personnel are also to be commended for their excellent work, which resulted in the recovery of several items of evidence that has further linked Gordon to this murder.  

“Operation Safe Sale”

P R E S S       R E L E A S E

May 1, 2014

Time:  1:30pm

“Operation Safe Sale”

Mark J. Becker, Chief of Police, today made the following announcement;

In response to what appears to be an ever increasing, or at least a sustained, threat to those that meet with total strangers to take part in transactions of items that have been advertised over the internet, in classified ads and by other means, the East Chicago Police Department is pleased to announce “Operation Safe Sale”.

Recognizing that throughout the United States, to include Northwest Indiana, customers looking to purchase items have been lured to locations, normally carrying large sums of money and then fall victim to robberies and at times very violent assaults.  “Operation Safe Sale” is yet another attempt by our police department to insure the safety of our community and to provide assistance in those types of situations/transactions.

We are inviting the public to use our parking lot as well as the lobby of our police department to meet those advertising items for sale and in so doing, offering a safe environment to deal with strangers and lessen the likelihood of being robbed or assaulted. Certainly utilizing the police department as a venue to transact such business should lessen the likelihood of a crime taking place.  

The program is offered Monday through Friday from 9am-7pm and then on Saturday’s from 11am to 3pm.  During those times, every effort will be made to have an Officer present for that meeting between the buyer and the seller.  The public may also chose to simply use the department’s parking lot or interior lobby, 2301 E. Columbus Drive, to carry out those dealings without an officer present if they so desire.  The parking lot and the lobby are well lit and offer extensive video tape coverage.

Further questions regarding this matter may directed to my office, (219) 391-8331