Montana Weathers, 10, was among two people shot after a Fourth of July gathering.
GARY, Ind. — A 10-year-old Chicago boy visiting family in Gary for the Fourth of July weekend was killed when gunfire struck a home’s front porch early Sunday, authorities said.
Montana Weathers died after the shooting in the 200 block of Chase Street. A 51-year-old man was also critically wounded. The death turned a holiday visit into a homicide case now led by Gary police, the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force and county prosecutors.
Police said the shooting happened about 12:49 a.m. Sunday, minutes after another shooting was reported several miles away near 19th Avenue and Hanley Street. In the Chase Street case, Montana and the wounded man were taken to Methodist Northlake Hospital before officers reached the scene. The boy was pronounced dead at 1:43 a.m.
Authorities said Montana had been at a home where relatives and others had gathered over the holiday weekend. Investigators allege Ernesto Posadas, 31, of Chicago, had attended the gathering with his girlfriend before an argument. He was told to leave, then later returned with another man, according to court records described by prosecutors.
Detectives said doorbell video showed a black minivan arriving at the home. Prosecutors allege Posadas and another man got out and fired toward the porch, where Montana, the girlfriend and two other people were located. The 51-year-old man drove himself and Montana to the hospital after the shooting, police said.
The shooting was one of two violent scenes in Gary early Sunday. Police first responded about 12:34 a.m. to shots fired near 19th Avenue and Hanley Street, where six people later arrived at the hospital. About 15 minutes later, officers were sent to Chase Street. Police have not said the two shootings were connected.
Gary police arrested Posadas later Sunday during a traffic stop on Interstate 80/94. Prosecutors charged him with murder in Montana’s death and attempted murder in the shooting of the wounded man, along with firearms-related charges. The other alleged shooter had not been publicly identified by officials.
Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter said officials would limit public comments while the case moves through court. Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon said the charges were meant to show that violent crimes would be pursued. Both officials said the case remains active.
As of Wednesday, the 51-year-old man remained in critical condition at a Chicago-area hospital. Posadas was due in court in Crown Point, and investigators continued reviewing video, witness accounts and other evidence from the Chase Street home.
Author note: Last updated July 8, 2026.