A Hammond man was sentenced to 45 years Wednesday after pleading guilty but mentally ill to murder for shooting a man multiple times behind a gas station.
Eihlan Hunt, 27, had been homeless for a good period and struggled with mental illness for at least half his life, his defense lawyer Lonnie Randolph II said in court.
He was charged in the shooting death of Kelley Holmes, 26. It was ruled a homicide.
Deputy Prosecutor Milana Petersen said the victim’s brother refused to see Hunt in court. He preferred to “keep the memory of his brother alive,” she said.
After years on the street, Hunt had “a lot going on” and was there to “face some consequences for his actions,” Randolph said. Hunt’s toddler son “may not ever have a relationship with his father.”
He was a “bright man,” but “sick” and at some point may have had the “opportunity to be saved.” Hunt wasn’t deemed mentally incompetent, so it was “his choice to take this plea,” Randolph said.
Petersen said it was a “terrible case,” and Hunt “took responsibility” for the shooting.
Defense lawyer Mark Gruenhagen, representing Hunt on a case dismissed in the plea, said the family told him it’s been a “struggle” to get him treatment.
Hunt spoke briefly, apologizing to his and Holmes’ families.
“I never got the impression you didn’t know what you were doing,” Judge Salvador Vasquez told him, adding the killing was “horrible” and “intentional.”
If he went to trial, Hunt might have gotten 55-65 years, he estimated, also noting a string of charges in recent years, including attempted murder.
“You really deserve more,” the judge said. “You ruined your life. I know you know that.”
East Chicago police responded at 6:22 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2023, to a BP gas station, 4502 Indianapolis Boulevard.
A witness saw a man walk up to Holmes.
“I need to talk to you,” the man said, as he and Holmes walked toward the back. Moments later, the witness heard 10-to-12 gunshots.
Holmes was shot in the neck, torso and arms, according to the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
Investigators matched bullet casings to the crime scene where Hunt was charged with shooting a different man on Dec. 29, 2022, near the 4800 block of Carey Street in East Chicago.
mcolias@post-trib.com
