Dakota Norwood, a 21-year-old Walmart employee from Chicago, was shot and killed at work on Monday, November 2, at the Walmart Supercenter at 1100 Fifth Ave. in Hammond, Indiana. Hammond police have charged 22-year-old Dorian Kevon Robertson, of Joliet, Illinois, with murder. Police say Norwood and Robertson knew each other and had been in a relationship. He was taken into custody at the scene.
The Hammond Walmart shooting has shaken a store that sits just across the Indiana state line from Chicago. Norwood was working her Monday morning shift when what began as a conversation in an aisle turned violent, according to police.
What Happened Inside the Hammond Walmart
Hammond police said officers were called to the store just after 9 a.m. Monday when an off-duty Hammond police officer working private security reported a shooting and said a suspect was already in custody.
In its initial statement, Hammond police said: “The preliminary investigation indicates that a male suspect was speaking with a female employee when the encounter escalated into a physical altercation. The suspect then reportedly retrieved a firearm and shot the employee multiple times.”
Hammond Police Capt. Steve Kellogg told CBS News that after the shooting, the man walked a few aisles away, placed his gun on the ground and waited to be arrested. “It does appear that they know each other,” Kellogg said. “They have quite a long conversation before anything takes place.” Local officials described the incident to CBS News as a domestic incident.
Coroner Identifies Dakota Norwood
The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Dakota Norwood, 21, of Chicago. She was pronounced dead just before 10:30 a.m. Monday. An autopsy, conducted Tuesday at the Lake County Forensic Science Center in Crown Point, found she died of multiple gunshot wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide.
Hammond police said in a statement that they extend their condolences “to Dakota Norwood’s family, friends, and coworkers.”
Dorian Kevon Robertson Charged With Murder
Hammond police announced that Dorian Kevon Robertson, 22, of Joliet, Illinois, has been charged with murder. He is being held at the Lake County Jail and was scheduled for a first court appearance on Thursday in Crown Point, according to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Investigators have said Norwood and Robertson knew each other and had been in a relationship. The exact nature and length of the relationship remain under investigation, and police have not said what led to the shooting. A criminal charge is an accusation, not a finding of guilt, and Robertson is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted in court.
Walmart’s Response
The Hammond store was closed through Wednesday while police processed the scene. A Walmart spokesperson told PEOPLE the company was “heartbroken” by what happened. “We’re heartbroken by what’s happened at our Hammond, IN store,” the spokesperson said. “We’re working closely with authorities as they continue investigating.”
Violence That Reached a Workplace
Police have described the case as involving two people who knew each other, and the shooting took place in a public store during Norwood’s work shift. An off-duty Hammond officer working security at the store reported the shooting, and the suspect was in custody at the scene.
If You or Someone You Know Needs Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, free and confidential support is available around the clock through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by texting START to 88788. In an emergency, call 911.
What Comes Next
Robertson’s first court appearance in Crown Point is the next step in the case. Prosecutors have not announced further details, and this story will be updated as more information becomes available.
