Charges were unsealed Wednesday for the brother of an alleged shooter who ambushed and shot a married couple in a car.
Alexis Cruz, Jr., 20, is charged with murder and attempted murder in the Sept. 14, 2024 death of Steven Gonzalez, 20, of Hammond. His wife was wounded.
Cruz’s brother Xavier Cruz, 18, is charged as the alleged shooter. Records allege Alexis was an accomplice.
Police allege Alexis believed the woman stole a gun from him. Filings show he is in custody in San Antonio and is awaiting extradition.
Hammond Police Detective James Onohan responded around 5:46 p.m. that evening to the 400 block of Huehn Street.
Surveillance footage showed three males walking in a gangway toward the car. One of the men, a relative of the brothers, now 20, has not been charged to date in public filings. A third teen was a light-skinned Hispanic, with glasses, a Chicago Bulls baseball hat and wavy hair.
“He just smoked them,” Cruz’s relative said after the shooting.
Anyone with more information can call Onohan at 219-853-6490.
