Local News

Double Homicide Apparent in Shootings

(Michigan City, IN) - It appears a man and woman found dead with gunshot wounds in Michigan City were murdered.

 

That’s according to La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson, who revealed the evidence shows both victims were shot from outside the vehicle they were in.

 

“There was an outside shooter.  There were no weapons found in the car,” she said.

 

She identified the victims as Travis Pennington, 35, and Kiara Hootman, 22, both of Michigan City. 

 

Swanson said they were in a vehicle at Normandy Village Apartments early Thursday when shot multiple times.

 

So far, no arrests have been reported.

 

Swanson said autopsies of both victims are scheduled tomorrow morning in hopes of obtaining information helpful to the ongoing investigation.

 

“Lots of unanswered questions still at this point,” she said.

 

She said Pennington lived at Normandy Village while Hootman was a frequent visitor to his apartment.

 

According to police, the bodies were discovered in the vehicle minutes after a call was placed to 911 about someone being shot.

 

So far, no light has been shed on the motive. 

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