Second gunshot in 20 months is deadly for Gary man, 20

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Updated: February 20, 2012 10:42PM

GARY — LeShawn Sanders escaped death 20 months ago when he survived a gunshot to the face.

But on Sunday, the 20-year-old Tolleston man couldn’t escape at least three men who chased and gunned him down in broad daylight.

Sanders, of the 1500 block of Hayes Street, was pronounced dead on the scene at 3:45 p.m.

Residents in the 2700 block of West 21st Avenue reported hearing gunshots shortly before 3 p.m. and discovered at least one home in the area struck by bullets.

Witnesses told police they saw a brown Chevrolet Suburban driving west on 21st Avenue as a man ran south.

Minutes later, police were called to a home in the 2100 block of Marshall Street, where they found Sanders’ body on the north side of the house.

He had been shot more than once. Lake County crime lab detectives collected evidence from areas where shots were fired Sunday afternoon.

In early June 2010, Sanders was critically wounded when he was shot in the face. He was on a ventilator at the hospital. Investigators learned the shooting took place in the 1300 block of Rutledge Street, but never learned who shot Sanders.

Sanders is the fifth homicide victim of the year in Gary. Anyone with information can contact Detective Cpl. Michael Barnes at 881-7434.

Reach Lori Caldwell at 648-3258