Three members of a Hammond family face charges in a shooting over Xanax pills at a gas station, court records show.
Parents Ladislao Vera, 48, Nora Vera, 51, and son Ladislao “Lalo” Vera, Jr., 24, were all charged Aug. 11 with Level 3 felony aggravated battery and Level 5 felony battery by means of a deadly weapon, according to Lake Superior Court records.
All three posted bond Monday — Vera, Sr. and Nora Vera each posted a $4,000 cash bond, while Vera Jr. posted a $7,500 cash bond.
The parent’s next court date is Aug. 23, while Vera, Jr.’s is Aug. 25.
Hammond Police were called at 8:49 p.m. July 26 to a Speedway Gas Station, 6845 Calumet Avenue for a reported shooting.
There, they saw a male victim shot and lying on the ground in the south parking lot. Witnesses said he had been pushed out of a dark colored pickup, before it took off.
A man told police he was at a gas pump, when he heard a gunshot and went with other bystanders to help.
The victim pointed to the pickup as it was leaving. They saw a tan Glock handgun on the ground by him. The witness said he applied pressure to the victim’s wounds, but when he turned around, the handgun was gone.
The charging documents allude that a bystander was charged with stealing the gun, but do not name the person.
Nearby security video appeared to show the shooting.
The victim initially lied to police, saying he was buying marijuana from an “older couple.” He got in their truck and they got angry when he asked to use Apple Pay. The son, Vera, Jr., connected him for the sale.
The elder Vera shot the victim, who said he had a gun, too, but couldn’t use it in time.
Days later, in a second police interview, the victim admitted he was buying 250 Xanax pills. He was scared to be charged, documents state. He met the couple once before.
At the hospital, staff told him he was shot four times.
Hammond Police executed a search warrant Aug. 10 at the Vera’s house. There, they confiscated a gun case, extended gun magazine, and iPhone. They also found “numerous” pill bottles of “many types” in various bedrooms.
