Gary In flea market security officer detains man after shooting incident
Gary In March 21 2018 A man is facing charges after he reportedly shot a woman in the leg March 16 at a Gary flea market, according to court records.
Rashawn Shimon Benford, 36, of Gary, was charged March 17 with attempted murder and aggravated battery, Lake County court records show.
During the morning on the 16th, Benford walked toward Vonna’s Country Kitchen, a restaurant inside Market City Flea Market in the 4100 block of Cleveland Street, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Benford approached the victim, who “was behind the counter working,” according to court records. A witness heard the victim yelling “I’m sorry,” the affidavit states.
The woman and Benford “became involved in a physical altercation” and Benford “drew a black handgun and began to fire a round in a downward direction” toward the victim “who was on the floor,” according to the affidavit.
Benford “made attempts to go around the counter after firing the first shot, subsequently firing approximately two more rounds,” court records states.
A flea market security guard came to the cafeteria after hearing gunshots, the affidavit states. The victim said Benford shot her, and the security guard “ordered Benford to drop a handgun he was holding and handcuffed Benford,” court records state.
“Benford invoked his right to counsel and refused to answer any questions,” the affidavit states.
The woman was shot in her left leg and was taken to Methodist Hospitals Northlake for treatment, according to the affidavit.
Benford is being held in Lake County Jail with his bail set at $90,000, court records show.
An initial court hearing had not been scheduled for Benford as of Monday afternoon, according to court records.
Post trib
