Thomas Campbell, 59, from Gary, Indiana, faces murder charges for fatally stabbing his younger brother Erik Campbell, 53, during a dispute over unpaid rent on January 3, 2026. Their mother had sent Erik to collect payment from Thomas at a residence on Taney Street, where surveillance video captured the escalating argument turning violent. Thomas claimed self-defense, alleging Erik punched him first and threatened him with a gun, but no firearm was found, and video showed Thomas pulling a knife to stab Erik multiple times in the neck, chest, arm, and stomach.​
Altercation Details
Video footage showed Erik pleading with Thomas to reveal what he hid in his hoodie pocket, backing away with hands up as if preparing for a fistfight before Thomas brandished the knife. A third person intervened to disarm Thomas after both fell to the ground, with Erik ending up on top but ceasing to fight; Thomas continued stabbing. Their mother confirmed to detectives that Thomas “does not like to pay rent,” and he told police Erik had bullied him for 20 years, claiming he “blacked out” during the incident.​
Arrest and Status
Officers arrived to find Thomas bloodied on the front porch and Erik unresponsive face-down; Thomas had called 911 himself. Held without bond at Lake County Jail, he faces up to 65 years if convicted and has a court date on January 12, 2026; the case marks Gary’s first homicide of the year. The investigation involved Gary Police, Indiana State Police, and the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force.
