La Porte man previously accused of murder charged in second homicide investigation

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. - A La Porte man who was charged in 2022 for an August 2021 murder was charged for a second murder that took place months prior.

Michigan City Police served an arrest warrant on 41-year-old Lamar Friend on Wednesday for the murder of 27-year-old Demetrius Howell and the attempted murder of Jessica Jones on January 23, 2021.

Jones was found injured at a food market on East Michigan Boulevard in Michigan City, while Howell was found on Edward Street.

Police were responding to the food market when they got the call about Howell. They later learned Jones and Howell were together on Edward Street when the shooting happened.

Friend is currently being held for the murder of 34-year-old Leland Collins and the attempted murder of another woman on August 9, 2021.