Gary Man Charged and Arrested In Shooting Over Cell Phone
Gary- An 18-year-old Gary man, Havier Aaron Moreno, has been charged with multiple felonies including Attempted Murder after a woman was shot multiple times during an encounter outside her home in May 2025.
According to court documents, Gary Police began investigating after a woman arrived at Methodist Hospital Northlake Campus around 9:30 p.m. on May 7, 2025, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Officers found a black Kia Sorento parked near the emergency entrance with a flat tire, shattered window, bullet holes through the doors, and a damaged steering column. The vehicle had visible blood on the driver’s seat.
Investigators learned that the woman had gone outside her residence in the 2900 block of West 12th Avenue in Gary when she discovered her vehicle had been broken into and a black iPhone left on the floorboard that did not belong to her.
While she and a passenger were inside the car, two or three young males wearing dark clothing approached, one carrying what appeared to be a rifle. The armed male shouted, “Give me my phone! I want my phone!” The woman ignored the demands and attempted to drive away.
As she drove off, the suspect opened fire on the vehicle, striking her several times. Despite her injuries, she was able to flee the scene and drive herself to the hospital.
Detectives and crime scene investigators recovered 17 spent .223-caliber rifle casings and broken glass from the street outside the residence.
The black iPhone left inside the Kia was secured as evidence. A search warrant obtained on May 8, 2025, through a Lake County Judge,who authorized a digital search by the Lake County High Tech Crime Unit. Data revealed the phone was an Apple SE 3rd Generation registered under the username “Havi.”
Investigators traced the connected Gmail account to Havier Aaron Moreno of Gary.
Hospital records reviewed by detectives indicated the victim sustained two gunshot wounds to the left abdomen and one wound each to the left and right thighs. Multiple bullet fragments were visible on X-rays. She was stabilized with blood transfusions and later flown to the University of Chicago Medical Center for further treatment.
Charges filed July 9,2025:
• Attempted Murder (Level 1 Felony) – two counts
• Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Level 2 Felony)
• Armed Robbery (Level 3 Felony)
• Aggravated Battery (Level 3 Felony)
• Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 Felony)
• Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Level 5 Felony)
• Attempted Auto Theft (Level 6 Felony)
Lodged in the Lake County Jail on November 7,2025.
