Prosecutors tossed a gun case against Kriston Barbee filed just days before he was formally charged in connection with a 13-year-old’s murder, records show.
Kriston Barbee Jr. was charged Aug. 22 with possession of a machine gun, a Level 5 felony, and misdemeanor dangerous possession of a firearm.
However, Magistrate Kathleen Sullivan rejected the case that day, citing a lack of probable cause. Prosecutors cited the same reason in their filings to get the gun case dismissed.
A judge granted the request on Aug. 25.
An affidavit detailed how police found a short video on Dahvee Brunson’s cellphone on Feb. 14 showing Barbee handling a Glock handgun with an extended magazine.
He appears to be at a SAVE gas station, 4890 Broadway Ave., showing the weapon to others.
Brunson and Barbee, both 17 — believed by police to be members of Gary’s 49th Avenue Boys gang — were charged Aug. 31 in Orie Dodson’s Feb. 15 shooting death.
Dodson’s body was found by police face down in front of Power & Light Church in Gary, located at 1351 Lincoln Street, around 12:20 p.m.
At a vigil in February, his mother Latrice Dodson said she believed that Orie’s death was precipitated by an online spat that turned violent after he and a peer exchanged threats over social media.
Post-Tribune archives contributed.
mcolias@post-trib.com
