Charges were unsealed Saturday for a Gary man who allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend after they argued at his brother’s barbecue.
Joequan Washington, 24, of Gary, was charged with murder and a gun enhancement in the March 18 or 19 shooting death of Breanna Howell, 31.
If convicted, he faces up to 85 years.
He was arrested April 22 in Indianapolis, jail records show. He is awaiting extradition to Lake County.
His brother Christin Washington, 33, of Gary, was charged last month with assisting a criminal for helping to move her body.
Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force Det. Brian McCall wrote he was called around 7:26 a.m. March 19 to the Willows Apartments on the 400 block of Clark Road in Gary where Howell was found lifeless, lying face up on the sidewalk.
She was shot once in the chest. The Lake County Coroner’s Office ruled her death a homicide. McCall also noted bruises and scratches on her neck.
A relative told police he dropped Howell off at the complex from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to go to a cookout with Joequan Washington.
Before the relative left, he walked over to say hi.
Security footage later showed two men, including someone who resembled Christin Washington, carrying a “heavy object” out of the building just before 2 a.m. and sitting on the sidewalk where Howell was found around 7 a.m. Christin Washington went back inside. Joequan Washington, in a black hooded sweatshirt, appeared to bend down toward the body, then left.
Christin Washington told police first he was not there when she was shot.
Later, he said Howell and his brother were arguing on a sofa when he heard a gunshot.
“Why did you make me do that,” Joequan said to her.
Joequan had choked Howell at some point that evening, court records state. Washington said he and Joequan both left after the shooting.
His brother was “crazy” and did “dumb things,” Christin Washington said, according to the affidavit.
Police later found a bullet casing in the sofa.
Witnesses at the barbecue said the couple was slapping each other and arguing that night. Joequan Washington had a gun on his hip. He called her an expletive at some point.
Anyone with more information can call McCall at 219-755-3855.