Gary shooting: 3 in custody after 2 shot outside stadium following HS graduation, police say

GARY, Ind. (WLS) -- Three people are in custody after two people were shot outside a stadium after a high school graduation ceremony in Indiana, the Gary Police Department said.

Graduates and guests were exiting RailCats stadium when shot erupted outside of the stadium. Two victims sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to Methodist Hospital Northlake for treatment by Gary medics. A 19-year-old male victim from Gary was shot in the chest and a 19-year-old female victim from Gary was shot in the ankle. One victim was treated on scene by medics.

Two male juveniles were taken into custody by Lake County officers working security. A 20-year-old man from Hammond was also taken into custody.

The ceremony was for West Side Leadership Academy graduates. Gary Community School Corporation Manager Dr. Paige McNulty referred to the incident as "senseless acts of gun violence" that "overshadowed" graduating students' "special moment."

Gary Mayor Jerome A. Prince also issued a statement.

"It's infuriating to me to hear of violence and injuries on a special night for our young people and their families. I pray for a full and speedy recovery for anyone who was injured," Prince said. "At this point, this is an ongoing investigation, but I assure everyone our Gary Police Department and law enforcement partners will use all available resources to get to the bottom of this incident. We will find whoever is responsible for this incident, and they will be held fully accountable. We will not cede our community to people who jeopardize our residents through their senseless, violent means."

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Nielsen at 219-881-1210 or the Crime Tip Line at 866-CRIME-GP.

Full statement released by GCSC on Facebook:

"A day that was meant for celebration has now been marked by tragedy through senseless acts of gun violence. During the entire graduation, our students conducted themselves in an excellent manner. Meanwhile, the disruptive actions of a few overshadowed their special moment.
Thankfully, the offenders have been apprehended, but it doesn't change the hurt and disappointment our students, families and school community are now feeling. Our prayers are with those injured, and we continue to extend our congratulations to WSLA graduates. They deserve it."