EAST CHICAGO, Ind. – The East Chicago Police Department is seeking the public’s help in solving two unsolved murders that occurred in 2021. Eric Douglas and Angelica Casares were both victims of separate shootings, and their cases remain open. Despite a 55% decrease in the homicide rate in East Chicago last year, the police are facing challenges in solving these two particular cases, both with a clearance rate of 80%.
These unsolved murders have left lasting impacts on the community, with visible bullet holes at the crime scenes and a sense of fear among residents. Police Chief Jose Rivera described the difficulty of cracking these cases, in particular the violent murder of 21-year-old Angelica Casares, who was killed in a quiet neighborhood with an AK-47.
Additionally, the execution-style killing of Eric Douglas on Christmas Day 2021 outside Ralo’s Bar has also puzzled investigators, despite the existence of surveillance video. The lack of cooperation from potential witnesses at the crime scenes has hindered the progress of the investigations, prompting community activists to partner with law enforcement in an effort to encourage witnesses to come forward with information.
The lack of cooperation from potential witnesses at the crime scenes has hindered the progress of the investigations, prompting community activists to partner with law enforcement in an effort to encourage witnesses to come forward with information. If anyone has information that could lead to an arrest, they are urged to contact either the East Chicago Police Department or “Case File Chicago’s” “Lock it Down” anonymous tip line at 1-800-U-TELL-US. The organization is offering a $1,000 reward for any information that could help solve these cases.