Gary Police ask public for help in solving fatal shooting of Kia Tidwell

GARY, Indiana. – A 42-year-old mother of six was killed by a ricochet bullet while driving home in Gary, Indiana, Friday night.

Kia Tidwell was driving near 5th Avenue and Grant Street when she was fatally struck near a McDonald’s while driving home in Portage.

Her family mourns the loss while calling on local officials to address safety concerns in the community.

“When it comes to this behavior, this city is not the city we are,” said Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon.

Authorities believe several people may know who is responsible for the shooting.

“We cannot tolerate individuals committing crimes of this nature,” said Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter.

Tidwell, one of 10 siblings, was well known in the Gary area. Her sister Isley, a teacher with close ties to the community, expressed frustration with the city’s failure to prevent such violence.

“We’ve been Team Gary from day one,” Isley said. “I was born and raised here, my parents have lived in the same area for over 30 years, and we argue with people about the city of Gary. We believe in the vision of Gary and all that, and in my mind I always thought the city let us down in the end.”

Her mother, Charlotte, is now mourning her daughter while also being concerned for the safety of the elderly residents of her neighborhood. She called for increased police presence, better lighting and more security cameras to protect the community.

“We just need so much,” Charlotte said. “I’m a senior citizen and we don’t want our seniors to be afraid to leave their homes.”

The family is hoping someone will come forward with information that could bring justice for Kia. Her aunt, LaSonnye McNeil, remembers her as a woman of faith with a beautiful soul.

“Her life was stolen,” McNeil said.