SS Monica & Luke Catholic Church in Gary
Funeral repast in Gary leaves 1 dead, another wounded by gunfire
Contributed By:The 411 News
Man who died was attending service for his brother
Mourners attending a funeral repast were sprayed with gunfire Saturday afternoon in Gary.
Gary Police received a call of a man shot at 2:19pm. While officers were in route to the location a second call came, in reference to a possible second male shot as well.
When Gary Police arrived at SS Monica & Luke Church, in the 600 block of Rhode Island, one man was dead and another man wounded.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Degerie Scott, age 41, of Gary. Mr. Scott was found outside of the church.
Officers located an adult male inside the church who had sustained a gunshot wound. The wounded man is reported in stable condition at Methodist Hospitals Northlake.
The shooter, GPD reported, was an unidentified light skin black male who fired into the crowd and fled on foot.
According to the NWI Times, “Father Michael Surufka, pastor of the church, said a local family who are not parishioners rented the parish hall to hold a luncheon following the burial of a young family member.”
Later Saturday, Fr. Surufka sent a message to parishioners on the church’s Facebook page, adding more details about the afternoon. Fr. Surufka wrote, “The man who was killed (Degerie Scott) was the brother of the man laid to rest today (Chester Scott). Their mother (Deborah Scott) buried a son and lost another to gun violence -- on the same day.”
Fr. Surufka also wrote, “The diocese has offered to cover the funeral expenses and provide counselling, should the family need it.”
Mayor Jerome Prince said, “We will find whoever is responsible for this cowardly act and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. On behalf of my family and our city, our hearts and prayers go out to every person who was affected by today’s violent act outside of St. Monica and Luke Church. It is beyond comprehension how anyone can attack a family already in mourning.”
If a person has information of this shooting incident, call Lake County Metro Homicide Unit 219 755-3866 or Gary Tip Line 1 866-CRIME GP.
Sunday morning, SS Monica & Luke church leaders and parishioners gathered before Mass to offer prayers for the victims of Saturday's shooting
Story Posted:11/14/2021
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