Scott Allen Gembala, 18, of LaPorte, is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly firing a rifle at multiple individuals and into an occupied vehicle, according to court documents.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on April 13, 2026, at approximately 1603 hours, police received a “Calls for Service broadcast… regarding shots fired in the area of Ridge Street and Ohio Street in La Porte,” involving two vehicles and a crash. Dispatch advised “a driver of a silver passenger car was in critical condition” and that suspects from a pickup truck had fled the scene.
Officers observed a tan Chevrolet Silverado had “collided into the driver’s side of a silver Ford Fusion,” pushing it “onto the front porch steps of a residence located at 408 Ohio Street,” causing damage. The affidavit states the driver of the Ford Fusion “appeared to be in critical condition and was receiving medical treatment.” Police also observed a vehicle with “damage consistent with gunfire, including a bullet strike to the windshield.”
According to court documents, a witness stated the rear passenger of the Silverado “leaned out of the rear passenger side window holding what appeared to be a rifle and began firing multiple rounds directly” at his vehicle, estimating “approximately four to five rounds,” with damage “consistent with a bullet strike.”
Investigators also learned of an earlier incident near Al’s Supermarket. Victims identified as two 16-year-old males, an 18-year-old male, and a 17-year-old male stated Gembala “pulled down a black ski mask and aimed a firearm” at them and “fired one round at the dumpster that they were taking cover behind.”
The affidavit further states the group had encountered Gembala earlier at Walmart, where he “began harassing” them and “grabbed the front of his waistband implying like he had a firearm.”
Police located a “black .22 caliber Rossi RS22 rifle” and a spent shell casing inside the Silverado. Gembala fled the scene but was later located near the Maple Tree Apartment Complex and taken into custody. During transport, Gembala stated, “I went back to my mom’s apartment to tell them goodbye. I was going to turn myself in.”
Lodged in the Laporte County Jail.
Charges filed April 15,2026
Intimidation – Level 5 Felony
Criminal Recklessness (Shooting a Firearm Into an Occupied Motor Vehicle) – Level 5 Felony
Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon – Level 6 Felony
