A Chicago man is now facing murder and multiple felony charges after prosecutors allege he returned to a Gary family gathering following an argument and opened fire on a home, killing a 10-year-old boy and critically injuring another man.
Investigators with the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force secured charges Tuesday against Ernesto Posadas, 31, of Chicago, in connection with the July 5 homicide of 10-year-old Montana Weathers and the attempted murder of a 51-year-old man during the shooting in the 200 block of Chase Street.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the shooting occurred at approximately 12:46 a.m. on July 5 after Posadas attended a Fourth of July family gathering. Prosecutors allege Posadas left after arguing with his girlfriend and drove away in her vehicle without permission after another person at the gathering confronted him during the dispute.
Court documents allege Posadas later returned in a black Chrysler Pacifica minivan with another armed man. Ring doorbell video allegedly captured Posadas exiting from the driver’s side of the minivan, shouting, “Who punched me?” before he and the second suspect pointed handguns toward the home’s front porch and entryway and opened fire.
Montana Weathers was struck in the head and later died from his injuries. A 51-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was transported to a Chicago hospital in critical condition. Court records also allege another person at the gathering returned fire as the suspects fled in the minivan.
Investigators say surveillance video from earlier in the evening showed Posadas wearing the same distinctive Chicago Bears shirt allegedly seen during the shooting. License plate reader data reportedly helped investigators identify and track the suspected minivan before and after the attack.
Posadas was taken into custody by Gary Police during a traffic stop on Interstate 80/94 later on July 5.
According to court documents, Posadas initially denied being in Indiana on the Fourth of July before later admitting he attended the gathering and left after the argument. Prosecutors allege he denied returning for the shooting despite investigators confronting him with surveillance footage. After being shown additional video images, court records state Posadas briefly acknowledged he was the individual shown before recanting and requesting an attorney.
Court documents further allege Posadas has prior felony convictions, including an aggravated kidnapping conviction in Illinois, which prosecutors say qualifies him as a serious violent felon under Indiana law.
Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon praised investigators following the filing of charges.
“While no legal action can erase the pain this family and our community have endured, these charges send a clear message that those who commit violent crimes will be relentlessly pursued and held accountable,” Cannon said. “Our agency and partners remain steadfast in our commitment to identifying, arresting, and bringing to prosecution those who threaten the safety of our community.”
Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter said the investigation remains active and declined to discuss evidence beyond what has been filed in court.
“Because this case remains an active prosecution, it would be inappropriate to discuss the evidence or the facts beyond what has been filed in court,” Carter said. “Our responsibility is to protect the integrity of the judicial process and ensure that every defendant receives a fair trial while seeking justice for the victim.”
Carter also thanked Detective Morgan Salazar, members of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force, the Gary Police Department, Lake County CSI, and assisting law enforcement agencies for their work on the case.
Officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Morgan Salazar at 219-755-3720.
Charges Filed Against Ernesto Posadas
- Murder
- Attempted Murder (3 counts) – Level 1 Felony
- Aggravated Battery – Level 3 Felony
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon – Level 4 Felony
- Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun (prior felony conviction within the last 15 years) – Level 5 Felony
- Auto Theft – Level 6 Felony
- Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun – Class A Misdemeanor
Posadas is currently lodged in the Lake County Jail.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
