Lake County

Michael A. McPherson, 39, of Whiting, has been charged in Lake County after a June 18 road rage shooting that left another motorist wounded, according to court documents.

According to the probable cause affidavit, a 20-year-old man drove himself to a Gary fire station after suffering a gunshot wound to his left forearm. The victim told investigators he had just left work near the 400 block of Bridge Street when he encountered a construction area and changed lanes after believing a white SUV was allowing him to merge. Court records state the victim slowed and lowered his window to apologize for cutting off the other driver when the driver of the SUV allegedly pointed a firearm and fired one shot, striking him in the arm.

The victim fled and sideswiped another vehicle near U.S. 20 and Chase Street before continuing to a fire station on Clark Road. He later told investigators he drove there because “fire fighters help people.”

According to court documents, investigators recovered footage from multiple cameras mounted inside the victim’s vehicle. The video allegedly showed a white Dodge Journey with an Indiana Native American license plate traveling alongside the victim’s vehicle moments before the shooting. Police said the rear of the SUV displayed several distinctive stickers, including a “Libertarian” sticker, the logo of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, an AR-15 silhouette decal with script, and a sticker reading, “Fuck Around and Find Out.” Investigators traced the plate to a white 2020 Dodge Journey registered to McPherson.

Court records state license plate reader data placed the vehicle traveling westbound through Gary around the time of the shooting. Investigators later located the Dodge Journey parked at the Ivy Tech campus in East Chicago and detained McPherson after observing him walking back to the vehicle.

Charges filed June 20, 2026:

  • Aggravated Battery – Posing a Substantial Risk of Death — Level 3 Felony (1 count)
  • Aggravated Battery – Resulting in Loss or Impairment of a Bodily Function — Level 3 Felony (1 count)
  • Criminal Recklessness Committed With a Deadly Weapon — Level 6 Felony (1 count)
  • Criminal Mischief — Class B Misdemeanor (1 count)