Steven Cruz II, 28, of Hobart, is facing felony charges in Lake County after investigators alleged a negligently discharged firearm sent a bullet through a neighboring trailer and through a child’s hair while multiple people were inside the residence.
According to court documents, Lake Station Police responded to a trailer park on East 37th Avenue on May 19, 2026, after a resident reported a gunshot had traveled through his trailer. Investigators said officers located damage inside the residence consistent with a bullet entering from the neighboring trailer located directly south of the home.
The resident allegedly told police he was preparing dinner in the kitchen with his wife when they heard a loud “pop” that they initially believed was an electrical breaker malfunction. As he went to investigate, he allegedly observed smoke and drywall dust coming from the hair of his son, identified as a 16-year-old in court records.
According to the affidavit, investigators alleged the bullet entered the south side of the neighboring trailer, traveled through the residence, passed through drywall and the laundry room area, struck laundry detergent, and then traveled through the teenager’s “afro” before coming to rest inside the home.
Police said eight people were inside the trailer at the time of the shooting, including several children ranging in age from infancy to 16 years old.
According to court documents, officers made contact with Steven Cruz II outside the neighboring trailer. Police stated Cruz initially claimed he did not know what happened before later allegedly admitting the firearm discharged accidentally while he was unloading items from his work van. Cruz allegedly told investigators he had just arrived home from work and the handgun discharged as he exited the van carrying several items.
Investigators stated Cruz later allegedly explained the firearm discharged when he depressed the rear grip safety while stepping out of the vehicle, though he maintained he did not have his finger on the trigger.
The affidavit states Cruz later apologized to the family following the incident.
Investigators also alleged Cruz was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior Lake County “Red Flag” firearm seizure case in which a commissioner previously ruled he was a dangerous individual and prohibited him from owning or possessing firearms.
Court documents state detectives later executed a search warrant at Cruz’s residence and allegedly recovered multiple firearms, loaded magazines, ammunition, and marijuana.
According to the affidavit, Cruz allegedly told detectives he believed the prior court order only meant he needed to petition the court if he wanted previously seized firearms returned.
Lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed May 28, 2026:
• Criminal Recklessness – Level 5 Felony (9 counts)
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Dangerous Individual – Class A Misdemeanor (2 counts)
• Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor (1 count)
