4 shot in separate incidents in Gary
One taken to Chicago hospital for advanced care
Within a four-minute span Monday afternoon, Gary Police responded to three different shooting scenes in which a total of four people were shot, with one person being transported to a Chicago hospital for advanced care and at least two others sent to local hospitals. Gary Police spokesperson Lt. Dawn Westerfield stressed that the incidents were targeted and no one was driving through the streets of Gary indiscriminately shooting at people.
As a result of rumors, the police received several false calls Monday, she said.
The first call came in at 3:05 p.m., when police received a report of a male gunshot victim in the 1800 block of Carolina Street.
Officers discovered an 18-yearold black man with several gunshot wounds, and they were advised of a second man who also been shot in the incident.
Inside a nearby residence, the second gunshot victim — an 18-year-old black male — was found.
Witnesses told police that two men drove up the block, exited the vehicle and shot at the victims while they were standing near the curb. The victims fled on foot as the suspects continued to shoot at them. An ambulance transported both victims to a local hospital, with one being flown out to a Chicago hospital for advanced care.
Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Callahan at 219-881-1209, the Violent Crimes Division at 219-881-1210 or the Crime Tip Line at 866-274-6347.
One minute after the first incident was called in — at 3:06 p.m. — police were sent to the 2300 block of Grant Street to investigate a report a man who was shot. When they arrived, officers found a 26-year-old black man, from Gary, with gunshot wounds. The victim told officers that he had driven to the Clark gas station in the 2300 block of Grant Street and pulled in on the south side.
The man saw two men walking in his direction who then walked in front of his vehicle and opened fire while the man was still in his vehicle. He told police that he drove forward and then leapt from the vehicle while it was in motion trying to escape being shot again. The victim fled on foot and the shooters chased after him still
firing and striking him with gunfire. The shooters then fled. The victim was transported to the hospital by ambulance for treatment.
Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Nielsen of the Violent Crimes Division at 219-8811210 or the Crime Tip Line at 866-274-6347.
The third incident occurred at 3:09 p.m. when Gary officers responded a report of man who was shot in the 1600 block of East 7th Avenue.
The 26-year-old black man told police that he had gone to the area to sell a PlayStation3 and he was robbed.
He directed police to the residence where the alleged suspect had entered where officers discovered a 36-year-old black man who had suffered gunshot wounds. The circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.
Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Drummond of the Violent Crimes Division at 219-8811210 or the Crime Tip Line at 866-274-6347.