MERRILLVILLE | A 50-year-old woman was in critical condition after she was shot Wednesday morning at the town's Meijer store, Merrillville police Operations Cmdr. Lance Huish said.
The woman was taken to Methodist Hospital's Southlake Campus for emergency surgery, he said.
Merrillville Police Chief Joseph Petruch said the incident appears to be isolated and that robbery doesn't appear to be the motive. Authorities are in the process of following leads, he said.
Police believe the victim was followed to the Meijer parking lot, Huish said. Police think the woman knew the shooter, but they don't know how, he said.
Authorities are looking for a Silver Toyota 4-Runner that appears to be a 2000-2006 model. This differs from previous information release that called the vehicle a light-colored Dodge Durango or a Nissan Pathfinder.
Anyone with more information about the incident should contact Merrillville police Detective Jim Lilley at (219) 769-3531.
Police swarmed the store after 8:30 a.m., and initially described it only as "a crime scene."
One witness told The Times that she was standing about 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the store -- located at 611 W. 81st Ave. -- when she heard what sounded like a gunshot. She said she then saw a woman lying in the parking lot.
Lake County Sheriff officials searched the area by car, helicopter and using a K-9 officer in an attempt to track the suspect.
Police were seen leaving the scene shortly before 10 a.m.
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