HAMMOND POLICE IDENTIFY TWO PERSONS OF INTEREST AFTER DEADLY GAS STATION SHOOTING THAT LEFT WOMAN DEAD IN HER CAR

Hammond police have identified two persons of interest following a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a 50-year-old woman while she was sitting inside her vehicle at a local gas station in the early hours of June 4.

According to the Hammond Police Department, the individuals being sought for questioning are 21-year-old Reginald Steptoe and 26-year-old Jarvis Steptoe, both residents of the Hammond area. Authorities have not announced any formal charges at this stage, and both individuals are currently considered persons of interest as the investigation remains ongoing.

Officers responded to a Chevron gas station located on Highway 190 near Westin Oak Drive at approximately 1:15 a.m. after receiving reports of a shooting. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Patricia Sheppard inside a gray sedan parked at a fuel pump. She had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.

Investigators say preliminary findings suggest the shooting was highly coordinated and involved multiple suspects. According to police, a white sedan pulled into the gas station and stopped near Sheppard’s vehicle. Two individuals then allegedly exited the suspect vehicle and opened fire on the victim’s car.

Authorities reported that between 70 and 80 rounds were fired into the gray sedan during the attack, indicating an extreme level of violence. The sheer volume of gunfire has raised concerns among investigators about the nature and intent of the incident.

Police also provided details about the suspected getaway vehicle, describing it as a white 2008 Honda Civic bearing Louisiana license plate PJY050. Investigators noted that the vehicle appeared to have been damaged, with the front passenger-side window missing. Officials believe one of the suspects may have fired through the window during the attack, causing the glass to shatter.

Further investigation revealed that the Honda Civic had previously been reported stolen in a carjacking in McComb, Mississippi, just days before the shooting occurred. Authorities are now working to determine how the vehicle traveled across state lines and whether additional individuals were involved in its use during the incident.

Detectives are continuing to gather evidence from the scene, including surveillance footage, ballistic analysis, and witness statements. Police have not yet confirmed a motive for the shooting, and it remains unclear whether the victim was specifically targeted or caught in a broader dispute.

The Hammond Police Department is urging anyone with information about the incident, the suspects, or the vehicle to come forward. Officials stress that even minor details could be critical in helping investigators piece together the sequence of events leading up to the fatal shooting.

As the investigation continues, the community remains shaken by the scale of violence and the tragic loss of life. Authorities say their priority is to identify everyone involved and bring clarity to what they describe as a deeply disturbing case.

For now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation remains active and ongoing.