A family Fourth of July gathering on Chase Street in Gary turned deadly shortly before 1 a.m. on July 5, 2026. Ten-year-old Montana Weathers, visiting relatives from Chicago, was struck in the head when gunfire erupted aimed at the home’s front porch and entrance; he was taken to Methodist Northlake Hospital and pronounced dead about 1:43 a.m. A 51-year-old man was also shot in the abdomen and later transferred to a Chicago-area hospital in critical condition.

Investigators say the shooting followed an argument involving 31-year-old Ernesto Posadas and his girlfriend. Prosecutors allege Posadas drove away after the dispute, returned in a black Chrysler Pacifica minivan with another armed man, and both men opened fire toward the porch. Ring doorbell and other surveillance footage, plus license-plate reader data, are reported to have tied the minivan to the scene. Posadas was arrested later that day and charged with murder and multiple other counts; authorities say a second armed man also participated but had not been identified or arrested.

Does anyone have information about that Fourth of July gathering or the minivan’s movements that night?