WHITING, INDIANA** — Leonardo Nunez has been sentenced to a total of 70 years in prison for the March 23, 2024, shooting death of Damien Abenante in Whiting, Indiana, according to an announcement from the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter announced that Nunez will serve **60 years for murder, plus an additional 10 years for a firearm enhancement**, bringing his total sentence to seven decades in the Indiana Department of Correction.
The sentence follows a jury’s decision to find Nunez guilty after a trial in Lake Superior Court, bringing a major milestone in the prosecution of the fatal shooting.
## Fatal Shooting on La Porte Avenue
The case stems from a shooting reported in the 1600 block of La Porte Avenue in Whiting on March 23, 2024.
According to the prosecutor’s office, responding officers arrived at the scene and discovered that Abenante had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office subsequently classified Abenante’s death as a homicide.
The fatal incident prompted an investigation involving local law enforcement agencies and the Major Crimes Task Force. Investigators’ work ultimately contributed to the case proceeding to trial and Nunez’s conviction.
## Prosecutor Says Sentence Reflects Severity of Crime
Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter said the 70-year sentence reflects the seriousness of the violence and the office’s commitment to pursuing accountability in cases involving loss of life.
Carter acknowledged that no prison sentence can reverse the tragedy or erase the grief experienced by Abenante’s loved ones. He expressed hope that the outcome would provide the victim’s family with some measure of justice and closure.
The prosecutor also reaffirmed his office’s commitment to pursuing cases involving violent crime throughout Lake County.
## Prosecutors and Victim Support Staff Recognized
Carter commended Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Shannon Phillips and Lindsey M. Lanham for their preparation, dedication, and work in securing the conviction and bringing the prosecution to its conclusion.
He also recognized Victim/Witness Assistant Caitlin Dziewicki for providing assistance and support throughout the legal proceedings.
Victim and witness support personnel can play an important role in helping families navigate the criminal justice process while a case moves through investigation, trial, and sentencing.
## Multiple Agencies Assisted in Investigation
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the Major Crimes Task Force and several law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution.
The agencies recognized included:
– Whiting Police Department
– Munster Police Department
– Griffith Police Department
– Hobart Police Department
– Chicago Police Department
– Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Carter emphasized that cooperation among prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement personnel was instrumental in bringing the case to its conclusion. He thanked the participating agencies for their professionalism and persistence.
## A Sentence Following a Tragic Loss
For Abenante’s family and loved ones, the case represents the lasting consequences of a fatal act of violence. Although the sentencing concludes a significant stage of the criminal proceedings, the loss of a loved one can continue to affect a family and community long after a court delivers its judgment.
The 70-year sentence marks the court’s punishment following Nunez’s jury conviction for murder and the firearm enhancement.
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office says it remains committed to protecting the community, supporting victims and their families, and holding people convicted of violent crimes accountable.
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