A 14-year-old Gary boy died Thursday after he was struck by a stray bullet fired by one of the occupants of two vehicles involved in a chase, Gary police said.
The victim, identified as Arion Lilly by the Lake County Coroner’s Office, was hit while walking about 4 p.m. in the 1100 block of Rutledge Street, Gary police Cmdr. Jack Hamady said in a news release.
“An innocent 14-year-old boy has lost his life over a senseless shooting,” Hamady said.
Detectives reviewing video surveillance footage believe the bullet came from one of the vehicles.
Police are seeking help from the public in identifying the driver of a red sedan with tinted windows, a rear spoiler and a dent on the rear passenger side.
Officers found the teen on the ground near a vacant lot, the release said. He was pronounced dead by the coroner’s office.
Witnesses told police one vehicle was chasing and firing a gun at another vehicle when Lilly was shot.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Cpl. James Bond of the Lake/Gary Metro Homicide Unit at 219-755-3852 or 866-274-6347.