Woman shot while exiting Jewel-Osco in Munster

MUNSTER, Ind. (WLS) -- A northwest Indiana woman was wounded when she got caught in the crossfire of a shootout Sunday night in a Jewel-Osco grocery store parking lot in Munster, Ind.

The woman, who is in her 20s, was an innocent victim, police said. She is expected to be OK.

No arrests have been made. Police said they believe the shooting was gang related and don't believe the suspects live in Munster. Police are reviewing surveillance video.

The grocery store, located in the 700-block of Ridge Road, is across the street from Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, which held its annual carnival Sunday night.

Two groups who left carnival at about 10 p.m. got into a fight, which escalated into gunfire, police said.

"I don't know if these two groups didn't like each other or if something was said," said Munster police Lt. Edward Strbjak.

Strbjak said the woman who was shot was leaving the grocery store when she was shot. She had gone back into the store's lobby vestibule when she heard the gunfire, but it wasn't enough. She was struck by a bullet that tore through the grocery store's window.

"She was hit - apparently grazed in the back of the head," Strbjak said.

Several cars in the parking lot were hit by gunfire.

The Jewel-Osco was open on Monday, but the windows were boarded up.

Some shoppers said they don't think they will be back.

"Now that I know there's been a shooting here it's concerning to me. I don't feel safe to come here right now," said shopper Erin Bryce.

People who attended the St Thomas More's annual event said the crowd was out of control.

"There was a lot of people there. Lot of fighting in the carnival. That might have led to what happened here," said Sonia Rivera, who attended the carnival.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Munster Police Department's Detective Bureau at 219-836-6632 or their anonymous tip line at 219-836-1010.