A Gary man faces charges he fatally shot a man multiple times at a Gary Little Caesar’s. Authorities allege it could have been in retaliation for an earlier fight.
Jami Long, 23, is charged with murder in the June 14 shooting death of Kejuan Patton, 26, of Gary.
He was extradited late last month from Minnesota. His next court date is Friday before Judge Samuel Cappas.
Police responded at 7:20 p.m. on June 14 to the pizzeria, 2560 Garfield St.
A relative said she dropped off Patton and her daughter, 9, to get pizzas. Within a minute after Long and another man came back from the adjacent gas station, Patton sent the girl running back to the car to protect her.
When the woman called Patton, she overheard a “tense” conversation between Patton and Long. Patton said he would fight the man, but wouldn’t use a gun.
She left, then tried to call Patton again, who didn’t answer. By the time she came back, emergency vehicles were already there.
The man with Long picked up his pizzas and walked to the parking lot when he heard gunshots. He said he only met Long, a relative’s boyfriend, that day and had no involvement in the shooting.
A video appeared to show Long near the doorway when he raises a gun and shoots Patton, charges allege.
Police later deduced that Patton may have helped beat up Long on May 18. Police responded then to the Homewood Village Apartments. Long, acting erratically, promised to “kill them,” charges state.
