Portage, Indiana – In a startling incident on Wednesday, March 6th, 2024, around 5:14 pm, a vehicle carrying a Portage teenager and his passenger was struck by gunfire along US Highway 6, near the intersection with County Line Road. Portage Police Department officers rushed to the scene following the report of the shooting.
The victims, a 19-year-old resident of Portage and a 31-year-old man from Pines Township, recounted traveling eastbound on Highway 6 before their harrowing experience at the County Line Road intersection. They reported hearing gunfire as they were overtaken by a dark-colored SUV, which also seemed to have been hit by bullets. Subsequently, they noticed damage from gunshots to the rear of their vehicle. A dark-colored sedan, identified by witnesses, was seen making a swift turn into the parking lot of Luke’s Gas Station, fleeing the scene westbound on Highway 6, while the SUV fled northbound on County Line Road.
Despite the dangerous situation, there have been no injuries reported. The Portage Police Department does not believe the young men were the intended victims of this shooting. With several leads in development, thanks to cooperation from the Lake Station and Gary Police Departments, PPD detectives, led by Detective Chris Burch, are diligently working on the case.
The Portage Police Department is calling on witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Burch at 219-764-5769, as their investigation continues.
