A Dolton man was sentenced to a total of 130 years in prison Thursday for his involvement in a double homicide that occurred last year at the Renaissance Towers apartments in Hammond, Indiana. Marvin “Geno” Clark, 33, was found guilty on multiple charges, including four counts of murder, three counts of burglary, and four gun enhancements. Two of the murder counts stemmed from crimes committed during the burglaries.

Clark received 60-year prison terms for each of the two murder convictions, plus an additional 10 years for two gun enhancements. He was also sentenced to 35 years for a Level 1 burglary charge, which will be served concurrently with his murder sentences. Clark’s attorney stated intentions to appeal the verdict.

The killings took place in the early morning hours of May 18, 2025, when Hammond police responded to a report of gunshots shortly after 3:30 a.m. in the 500 block of Michigan Street. Officers discovered the bodies of Gary Shanklin, 23, of East Chicago, and Montelle “Monty” Lang, 29, of Chicago, at the bottom of a stairwell inside the apartment building. Both victims had been shot to death.

Family members of the victims voiced their grief during the sentencing. Shanklin’s aunt, LaDenna Varner, described him as “the light of our family,” noting he left behind a young daughter. Lang’s mother, Vena Walker, said her son’s two children, ages 13 and 7, were deeply traumatized by the loss. Lang’s father, Terry Lang, who recently started a job with the Chicago Transit Authority, was remembered as a man working to build a stable future for his family. A letter from Terry Lang, read by prosecutors, expressed the heavy weight of grief the family continues to endure.

Deputy Prosecutor Milana Petersen characterized the killings as “gruesome,” emphasizing the proximity of four children sleeping only feet away in a nearby apartment bedroom. Petersen argued that Clark had worn a ski mask during the incident and parked a getaway vehicle close to the scene.

Clark has faced disciplinary issues while incarcerated, including an alleged altercation just days before his sentencing. His defense attorney, John Cantrell, sought to contextualize some of Clark’s behavior in a jail environment described by officials as plagued by power outages, plumbing failures, malfunctioning locks, and prevalence of weapons among inmates. Cantrell also contested aspects of the burglary charge, claiming Clark did not break through a window as alleged.

Clark declined to make a statement in court. Judge Samuel Cappas acknowledged the difficult conditions at the jail but indicated they would not significantly influence the sentencing decision.

Authorities presented details implicating co-defendants Anthony Smothers and Daniel “Danny” Harmon in the events leading up to the killings. Police said Smothers accompanied Clark and Harmon from an Illinois bar to the apartment of his ex-girlfriend, Jailen Perry. It was reported that Smothers had been on the phone with Perry when Lang, who had become Perry’s new boyfriend, choked her a week earlier in front of at least one of their children.

Shanklin, a friend of Lang, had stopped by after a party but was drawn into a confrontation when Perry initially refused entry to the trio. Police allege the men removed a screen and entered through a living room window. A physical altercation ensued between the occupants and the intruders. Smothers reportedly handed a gun to Harmon to enable a separate attack on Perry. Perry led Smothers outside in an effort to defuse the situation but heard gunshots shortly thereafter. The two other men fled the scene with Smothers. Harmon was heard remarking “He’s dead” while leaving the area.