Shooting at Hobart Walmart likely gang-related; FBI assisting investigation

Oct. 01--HOBART -- Police said Monday they suspect a shooting at Walmart that wounded a 25-year-old Gary man and his 9-year-old son was gang-related.

The 9-year-old remained in critical condition Monday following the shooting about 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot at the Walmart, 2936 E. 79th Ave., Hobart police Capt. Garrett Ciszewski said.

The boy's father, who was in stable condition Monday, previously was wounded in a separate shooting about six weeks ago in Gary, he said.

The shooting Sunday stemmed from an argument, which began inside the Walmart between two men who knew each other, police said.

The man and his son were shot after exiting the store. An associate of the father returned fire, police said.

Police think the shooting was gang-related, Ciszewski said.

"This appears to be an isolated incident of gang violence which spilled over to our city," Ciszewski said.

The FBI's Gang Response Investigative Team task force has agreed to assist in the investigation, FBI spokeswoman Chris Bavender said.

Police on Sunday night released a surveillance photo from the Walmart of a possible person of interest.

Police anticipated releasing more information later about the status of criminal charges. No one was in custody Monday, Ciszewski said.

Hobart police were assisted at the scene by the Lake County Sheriff's Department, Merrillville Police Department, Indiana State Police and Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force.

The task force sent about 20 investigators to assist Hobart police and the FBI's GRIT task force Sunday night, said Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance, spokesman for the Major Crimes Task Force. About a dozen of those investigators continued to assist Monday.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Hobart Police Department at 219-942-1125.

Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail

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