Teen faces attempted murder charge
Accused of shooting at police during chase
A Hammond teen was charged as an adult Friday with several felonies including attempted murder for shooting at a police officer pursuing him during a car chase.
The teen, who is not being named because he is under 18, is in custody at the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center. His bond is set at $7,000 cash.
The Hammond Police officer was not hurt.
Illinois State Police and Chicago dispatch notified Indiana law enforcement just before 1 a.m. March 6 that a stolen car — a blue 2011 Hyundai — and second vehicle, a white 1999 Toyota with Indiana plates, were headed to the state line, according to court records.
The cars crossed the state line on Goslin Avenue, turning south on Hohman Avenue.
Officers picked up the chase in north Hammond near Highland Street and Hohman Avenue, the affidavit states.
Several agencies, including Illinois State Police, Hammond Police and Lake County Sheriff ’s Department continued the chase. Another officer noted he was “seven cars” back from the stolen car.
As the white Toyota drove east on Highland Street, someone inside fired several gunshots at pursuing officers.
The blue Hyundai crashed into parked cars near Waltham Street and Park Place. The driver ran southeast to a backyard on the 400 block of Lewis Street. It is unclear from court documents if that driver was arrested.
Police said the white Toyota appeared to turn around and head toward where the officers were, guessing he was looking for the other driver.
The Toyota turned south on Blaine Street, before heading west on Highland Street, then north on Park Place, weaving through “multiple” Hammond cop cars.
Near the 400 block of Waltham Street, the Toyota slowed down, with the driver opening fire 7-8 times near Harrison Street. The pursuing officer radioed that one bullet hit his patrol car.
The driver pulled into the Eggers Middle School parking lot, before doing a u-turn and heading south on Blaine Street. It ran off and got stuck in a ditch in the grass and mud near a construction site.
The same officer whose vehicle was shot got out of his car. The teen “continued to try to flee” in the car, so the officer — saying the teen was a public danger — fired two shots at the car. The teen held his hands outside the window. He was arrested.
Court records indicate the Toyota was registered to the teen’s mother.
Police found a black handgun, a Glock magazine, and a black ski mask. A spent 9-mm bullet casing was on the left floorboard. Another handgun was in the glove compartment. Investigators picked up eight 9-mm bullet casings on the 400 block of Waltham Street.
The teen is charged with attempted murder, attempted battery, two counts of resisting law enforcement, and two misdemeanors.