EAST CHICAGO, Ind. — A Lake County jury convicted Robert Allison of murder in the May 29, 2023, shooting death of Christian Ogbomon inside an East Chicago apartment, Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter announced Sept. 10, Region News Source reported.
Key facts
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Robert Allison, 51 |
| Victim | Christian Ogbomon, 18, of Hammond |
| Scene | 3700 block of Euclid Avenue, East Chicago |
| Verdict | Murder + gun enhancement |
| Sentencing | Oct. 7, 2026 |
Allison was also convicted of a gun enhancement, the Post-Tribune reported in a Sept. 11 court-news wrap. Ogbomon was pronounced dead at the scene after police found him on a balcony, both outlets reported.
What police found
East Chicago officers arrived and found Ogbomon hanging across a balcony railing with a white sheet covering him, the probable cause affidavit summarized by Region News Source states.
Court documents allege Ogbomon had been visiting Allison’s daughter, Jayla. She told investigators she had met him on Instagram about a month earlier.
Jayla told police Ogbomon climbed onto the second-floor balcony to enter her bedroom, Region News Source reported. The two were inside for about two hours when Allison allegedly entered the bedroom and shot Ogbomon, the affidavit states.
Allison’s account
Allison later spoke with investigators and acknowledged firing the gun, according to the affidavit as reported by Region News Source.
He allegedly told detectives he had returned to the apartment, heard screaming, and demanded to know what was happening inside the bedroom. He told investigators he tried to push open the door while his daughter told him “no,” forced his way inside, saw Ogbomon coming toward him, and fired what he described as a “reaction,” the documents state.
The affidavit says Allison was about 10 feet away when he fired.
After the shooting, Allison allegedly heard his daughter say, “Oh dad I think you shot him,” before he called 911, Region News Source reported. Allison’s son told investigators he heard screaming from his sister’s bedroom followed by a gunshot, saw his father holding a gun, and was told to call 911, according to the affidavit.
Trial arguments
At trial, Deputy Prosecutor Chris Bruno told jurors Allison walked into his daughter’s bedroom and “hastily” shot Ogbomon once in the chest, the Post-Tribune reported. Bruno said evidence including glass shards in the victim’s chest showed Ogbomon was “exiting the room” when he was killed.
Defense lawyer Joe Roberts said Allison woke up, did not know who was in the apartment, and believed he was protecting his daughter from a possible sexual assault, according to the Post-Tribune.
Allison was originally charged with voluntary manslaughter under sudden heat. Charges were upgraded to murder late last month, the Post-Tribune reported. A jury has now found him guilty more than three years after the shooting.
Prosecutor statement
“This type of prosecution requires a tremendous amount of preparation and cooperation,” Carter said in a statement reported by Region News Source. “I am grateful to our deputy prosecutor and to the law enforcement professionals who worked diligently to ensure the evidence was presented and that justice was served.”
Carter credited Deputy Prosecutor Bradley Carter for preparing and presenting the case and thanked the East Chicago Police Department and other criminal justice professionals, Region News Source reported. The Post-Tribune’s trial coverage identified Deputy Prosecutor Chris Bruno as addressing the jury; Region N3 notes both names as reported.
Sentencing remains ahead. Region N3 will update when the Oct. 7 hearing is reported.
Photo credit
- Inline figures from Region N3 stock gallery / file (illustrative; not crime-scene originals unless noted)
- Photo: Region News Source — Image from original coverage of this story.