An arrest has been made in connection to a double homicide that occurred last week in Michigan City.
On August 15, at around 5:36 a.m., the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call indicating a person had been shot in the 2300 block of Normandy Drive. Uniform Patrol Shift III Officer Rachel Ewart and Cpl. Deshone Harris responded to the scene. Upon arrival, 22 year old Kiara Hootman and 35 year old Travis Pennington were found deceased inside a vehicle in the parking lot. Both had gunshot wounds.
The Investigative Division was summoned to the scene. The entire Investigate Division worked over the course of forty-eight hours gathering evidence, conducting interviews, serving search warrants and identifying a suspect. Their combined efforts resulted in 26-year-old Armann Johnson being taken into custody. Johnson is a 26 year old Michigan City resident.
The investigation was presented to LaPorte County Chief Deputy Prosecutor, Charles Watterson, for a probable cause review. Formal criminal charges were then filed against Johnson. A judge determined that probable cause existed and Johnson was charged with two counts of murder, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, unlawful carrying of a handgun and criminal mischief (B-Misdemeanor). Johnson is being held without bond pending a future court hearing.
The Michigan City Police Department asks that anyone with information about this case to please contact Det./Sgt. Hood at (219) 874-3221 Ext. 1074 or by email at lhood@emichigancity.com. They would also like to remind the public that you can contact them via Facebook Messenger, through their crime tip hotline number of 219-873-1488, or you can also call the WeTip Hotline for General Crime (800) 78-CRIME and possibly receive a reward upon an arrest and conviction. All WeTip call information is sent directly to the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office. Police say you can always request to remain anonymous.