Teen Girl Identified, Suspect in Custody for Fatal Indiana Shooting

The teen from south suburban Lansing was shot in Gary, Ind., and died in a car in a McDonald's parking lot in nearby Hammond

A 17-year-old south suburban girl who was shot and killed Wednesday while she was riding in a car in northwest Indiana has been identified, and a suspect is in custody.

Ashley Scott was a passenger in a Pontiac Grand Prix occupied by three young men, all from Indiana, according to Gary police and the Lake County coroner’s office.

She was sitting in the front seat when shots were fired into the car at about 5:30 p.m. on West 15th Avenue in Gary, striking her in the neck, Gary Police Cmdr. Del Stout said.

An 18-year-old Gary man was arrested late Wednesday night after detectives spoke to the occupants of the car, Cmdr. Del Stout told the Post-Tribune.

He said the shooting was not random, but didn’t believe the girl was the intended target.

Police expect charges to be filed on Friday.

The driver continued west on 15th Avenue until he crossed Cline Avenue into Hammond, where he stopped at the McDonald’s parking lot and called for help.

Scott, of the 1700 block of Henry Street in Lansing, was pronounced dead at the scene, acording to the coroner’s office.

Scott was a student at Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing. According to a statement from her school, she "was a remarkable young lady with a bright future."

Crisis counselors are now available for students at the school to help them cope with Scott's death, according to the statement.

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