In the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, March 30, 2025, a quiet night at Portside Pub in Hammond, Indiana, shattered into chaos as gunfire erupted, leaving a community reeling from the loss of two lives and the wounding of three others. The Hammond Police Department responded swiftly to reports of shots fired at the establishment on 1516 Indianapolis Boulevard, arriving around 4 a.m. to a scene of devastation. Five individuals had been struck by bullets, and despite the efforts of emergency responders, two victims succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The tragedy has left families grieving, survivors fighting for recovery, and authorities searching for answers in a case that underscores the fragility of safety in everyday spaces.
Among the fallen was Paul, a bartender known to his colleagues as a warm and familiar presence behind the counter. His death has sent ripples of sorrow through the tight-knit staff and patrons of Portside Pub, where he was a fixture of the local nightlife. The second victim, Lorraine Reyna, was identified by her heartbroken family, who now mourn the loss of a woman taken too soon. The three surviving victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical teams worked tirelessly to save them. Two remain in serious condition, their lives hanging in a delicate balance, while the third has been stabilized, offering a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.
Police have taken 34-year-old Caprice Edward Cashaw, a Merrillville resident, into custody as a person of interest. Authorities believe the shooting arose from a domestic dispute, though the precise sequence of events remains under investigation. As detectives piece together witness accounts and forensic evidence, one southbound lane of Indianapolis Boulevard near the pub remains closed, a somber reminder of the violence that unfolded. The Hammond Police Department has issued a call for information, urging anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact Detective Lt. Marc Ferry at (219) 852-2906. Each tip, they hope, will bring them closer to justice for the victims and their families.
Cashaw’s arrest has drawn scrutiny to his past, revealing a troubling history that raises questions about the efficacy of the criminal justice system. In 2022, he faced charges after a disturbing incident at an East Chicago casino, where he allegedly attempted to run down an Indiana Gaming Commission agent with his vehicle. The act, which could have ended in tragedy, resulted in a surprisingly lenient charge of criminal recklessness—a Class B misdemeanor—rather than the more severe felony of attempted murder. Court records paint a picture of a case mired in delays, with at least ten continuances stretching over three years, stalling any chance of conviction or incarceration. For many, this pattern of postponements represents a missed opportunity to intervene before Cashaw’s actions escalated to the deadly events of Sunday morning.
A law enforcement official, speaking candidly about the case, expressed frustration at the outcome. “This is a tragic situation—one that could have been prevented,” the official said. “Cashaw should have been in jail for endangering that gaming agent, not out on the streets, where he ultimately took two lives and wounded three others.” The sentiment echoes broader concerns about repeat offenders slipping through the cracks, leaving communities vulnerable to escalating violence. In Hammond, a city of hardworking families and close-knit neighborhoods, the shooting has sparked conversations about accountability, public safety, and the need for reform.
As the investigation unfolds, the survivors face a long road to recovery, both physical and emotional. The families of Paul and Lorraine Reyna grapple with an irreplaceable loss, their lives forever altered by a fleeting moment of violence. For the patrons who once saw Portside Pub as a refuge—a place to unwind after a long week—the memory of that early Sunday morning will linger, a stark reminder of how quickly peace can unravel. Authorities remain committed to uncovering the full truth, determined to deliver answers to a community shaken to its core. In the meantime, Hammond holds its breath, mourning the lost and praying for the healing of the wounded, as the echoes of gunfire fade into a resolve for justice.