On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, Detectives from the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division Lowell Post were contacted by the Illinois State Police and the Gary Police Department to investigate a homicide that occurred on the Indiana Toll Road.
During the investigation, it was learned that the Gary Police Department responded to Northlake Hospital in Gary for a report of a male that had sustained a gunshot wound. The victim had been driven to the hospital. During their investigation, it was determined that the shooting took place while the victim was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his cousin.
The driver, Ayana Rashawnda Jamerson, 26, from Gary, IN, drove the victim to the hospital along with another individual that was in the vehicle. While at the hospital, Ms. Jamerson gave several different names to the officers as well as inconsistent versions of what had occurred. As the investigation continued, detectives learned that the victim had been shot by Ms. Jamerson as the result of an argument.
The victim, Kevin Pruitt, 27, from Chicago, IL, was flown from Northlake to a hospital in Chicago where he later succumbed to his injuries. Ms. Jamerson has been arrested and is charged with Murder, a Level-1 Felony. She is currently incarcerated at the Lake County Jail.
An arrest is merely an accusation of a crime, all suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.