Charges dropped against man for road rage killing

2020 incident led to shooting in Hammond

Prosecutors dropped charges last week against a Hammond man accused of killing a tire shop worker and wounding his brother during a gunfight following a road rage incident.

After Ricky Scott, now 25, was granted bail in March 2021, the state couldn’t prove he didn’t act in self-defense, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Judy Massa wrote on May 24 in court filings.

Lake Superior Judge Gina Jones granted the request the next day.

The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning prosecutors have the option to refile the case later.

Co-defendant Orlando Berrios’ case is still pending for intimidation, criminal recklessness, battery and reckless driving.

His next hearing is June 20.

Court records allege the May 5, 2020, shooting spilled over from an earlier incident.

Security footage appeared to show Berrios, in a silver Infiniti, pulled in front of a red Chevrolet Silverado truck near Michigan Street and Columbia Avenue, with Scott, in a white Jeep, behind and blocking him.

The truck pulls away and Scott and Berrios follow to the tire shop.

Uriel Arambula, 25, died as a result of the shooting.

Uriel Arambula’s brother told police he owned the shop and was fixing an alternator when everyone pulled up. The truck’s driver called him earlier, saying someone hit his truck on the road and was “following him.” The shop owner also said he knew Scott and Berrios from the tire shop.

The truck’s driver gets out and walks to the back of the vehicle. While Berrios’ sister yells at the truck’s driver, Berrios runs and punches the driver, who falls to the ground.

Berrios and Scott fight Uriel Arambula and his brother. Scott pulls a handgun from his right pocket and Arambula’s brother “falls to the ground.”

Scott steps back, shooting Arambula’s brother in the left shoulder. Scott allegedly shoots Uriel Arambula several times. A cellphone video showed Uriel Arambula shooting at Scott, who falls to the ground.

Scott runs and fires more shots.

Both brothers are on the ground when Uriel Arambula shoots Ricky Scott, who runs toward the Infiniti in an alley.

Arambula’s brother takes the gun and shoots toward Scott. Scott fires back and hits him in the leg.

Scott and Berrios later went to Community to get treated for their gunshot wounds.