MERRILLVILLE | A Gary teenager has been charged in connection with a shooting Saturday, and Merrillville police are searching for a second suspect in the case.
An 18-year-old man was shot in the chest during a drug deal about 5 p.m. on 71st Place near Broadway, Merrillville police Detective Sgt. Bob Morgan said.
The man is in critical but stable condition at the Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus, Morgan said.
After the shooting, the gunman and another person involved in the situation fled the area with cash and the drugs the man intended to sell, Morgan said.
A Merrillville officer located a person matching the description of one of the suspects in the 6900 block of Broadway.
After he was detained, the 16-year-old told police he was at the scene of the shooting, Morgan said. During a subsequent interview, the juvenile admitted he shot the 18-year-old, Morgan said.
The 16-year-old was charged with felony battery by means of a deadly weapon and felony robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, Morgan said. The juvenile also faces a misdemeanor charge of carrying a handgun without a license, he said.
Police have not released the name of the juvenile.
Morgan said police continue to seek the second suspect in the shooting. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Merrillville police at (219) 769-3531.
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