Elias R. Thomas of East Chicago is facing felony charges after police say he fired a rifle into an occupied apartment while a mother and her two juvenile children were inside.
According to court documents, on February 5, 2026, East Chicago Police were dispatched to the 4400 block of Olcott Avenue in reference to shots fired. While canvasing the area, officers located multiple spent shell casings in the alleyway between buildings in the 4400 block. The shell casings were observed to be of .223/5.56 caliber ammunition. Officers also observed multiple apparent bullet holes to the rear door, exterior wall, and window area of an apartment in the 4400 block of Olcott Avenue, consistent with bullet impacts.
The woman who lived in the apartment told police she believed she knew who was responsible for the shooting and advised that her two young children were present inside the home during the incident.…