Left, Jovan Hardaway and Shavonte Harrell

Sunday's demonstration started out peaceful, ended in tear gas

Contributed By:The 411 News

The Lake County Sheriff Department’s account of protesters arrested at Sunday’s demonstration at Southlake Mall is similar to the dynamics known about street demonstrations since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“On May 31, 2020, the Hobart Police Department requested that the Lake County Sheriff’s Department respond to the Westfield Southlake Mall property in Hobart in reference to an unplanned demonstration,” said Pam Jones, Public Information Liaison for the Sheriff’s Dept.

The department observed a peaceful demonstration which was allowed to continue for several hours. Lake County officers, as well as those from Hobart Police Department and the Indiana State Patrol were initially on standby out of sight, allowing the demonstration to proceed.

Eventually, the peaceful protesters left the area.

Jones said intelligence gained from social media and other sources revealed that remaining subjects intended to engage in civil unrest, which included plans to loot businesses in the area. Public safety officers moved in for safety reasons.

At least two businesses had windows broken, and subjects also attempted to gain entry into businesses. “Rocks, bottles and other objects were thrown at our officers; and two of them sustained minor injuries,” Jones reported.

When an unruly crowd of subjects headed onto U.S. 30 and attempted to enter onto Interstate 65, police officers deployed rubber bullets and tear gas.

Ten adults and four juveniles were arrested.

“I’m extremely proud of the restraint and professionalism Lake County officers exhibited during this incident,” said Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. “It is disappointing that a crowd of people would seek to destroy the theme of what started as a peaceful protest by resorting to violence and property damage.”

Adults arrested were:


Left, Hardaway, Jovon, Male, DOB 7/29/1992, Gary, IN, Disorderly Conduct, Posted Bond $250; and Harrell, Shavonte, Female, DOB 10/19/1994, Gary, IN Disorderly Conduct, Posted Bond $250


Left, Ishii, Marvin, Male, DOB 7/09/1996, Crown Point, IN Disorderly Conduct, Posted Bond $250; and James, Tony, Male, DOB 5/23/1992, Gary, IN Disorderly Conduct, Posted Bond $250


Left, Mitchel, Tracee Lavette, Female, DOB 10/18/91, Merrillville, IN, Disorderly Conduct & Resisting Law Enforcement, Posted Bond $500; and Navarro, Enrique, Male, DOB 7/22/1990, East Chicago, IN, Disorderly Conduct, Posted Bond $250


Left, Shields, Donovan, Male, DOB 5/18/1998, Merrillville, IN, Disorderly Conduct, Posted Bond $250; and Thomas, Caleb, Male, DOB 3/13/1990, Lake Station, IN, Disorderly Conduct, Posted Bond $250


Left, Turner, Rory, Female, DOB 2/14/1992, Merrillville, IN, Disorderly Conduct, Posted Bond $250; and Wade, Michael, Male, DOB 9/04/1994, Gary, IN, Disorderly Conduct, Posted Bond $250

Story Posted:06/02/2020