Portage Woman Charged After Alleged Christmas Day Shooting Into Occupied Vehicle
Delise Marie Ross, 36, of Portage, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following a Christmas Day shooting incident involving an occupied vehicle at a residence in Portage.
According to the probable cause affidavit, officers were dispatched to the residence on December 25, 2025, at approximately 5:25 p.m., after receiving a report of a shooting. Officers were advised the suspect had been found hiding inside a bedroom closet and that a firearm believed to have been used during the incident had been recovered. Investigators were also advised that Ross’s mother was on scene and is the protected party of an active protective order involving Ross.
Court documents state Ross allegedly fired a handgun at a Jeep parked in the driveway while it was occupied by an adult and two children, ages 7 and 12. Investigators reported the Jeep was struck by gunfire, though no one inside the vehicle was struck by a bullet.
According to investigators, multiple individuals were inside the residence earlier in the day when an argument occurred between Ross and another adult. The affidavit states the argument escalated into a physical altercation, during which children were present and crying. The two adults were reportedly on the floor fighting before being separated. After the altercation, the other adult left the residence with the children.
Court records state the adult later returned to retrieve an AirPods case that had been left inside the home. Investigators allege the adult was backing the Jeep out of the driveway when Ross exited the residence through the back door, pointed a firearm toward the vehicle, and fired. The adult told investigators Ross fired two shots while the vehicle was occupied by her and the two children, ages 7 and 12.
A crime scene investigator later observed damage consistent with a bullet hole in the vehicle’s radiator. The adult involved told investigators the vehicle began smoking after being struck by gunfire.
Ross was taken into custody and transported to the police department, where she agreed to speak with investigators after being advised of her rights. According to the affidavit, Ross repeatedly stated, “Everything was my fault.” Ross initially told investigators she fired the gun into the air, but later stated, “I shot at her. I did.” Ross told investigators she was upset, not thinking clearly, and fired the gun to scare the other adult.
Ross also admitted retrieving the firearm from her mother’s purse and acknowledged knowing her mother regularly carried the gun. Ross later stated she hid in a bedroom closet because she was scared and had never done anything like that before.
Court documents state Ross has a pending felony domestic battery case and was prohibited from possessing a firearm at the time of the incident. Charging records further allege Ross violated an active no-contact order issued as a condition of pretrial release in the prior case, which also prohibited her from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Lodged in the Porter County Jail.
Charges filed December 26,2025:
• Criminal Recklessness – Shooting a Firearm Into an Occupied Vehicle (Level 5 Felony) — three counts
• Pointing a Firearm at Another (Level 6 Felony)
• Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Invasion of Privacy – Violation of a No-Contact Order (Class A Misdemeanor)
