An Illinois teen could face prison time after admitting he shot and paralyzed another 16-year-old teen in Gary.

Aaron McLain, now 19, of Midlothian and Gary, is scheduled for sentencing Wednesday.

He signed a plea agreement filed Oct. 20 pleading guilty to aggravated battery, a Level 3 felony. Under the deal, McLain faces three to 16 years. Judge Gina Jones has to review and accept the plea.

Gary police responded June 14, 2020 to the 500 block of Lincoln Street.

Officers found the victim shot in the chest in the back seat of a parked blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The bullet exited his back.

The shooting forced doctors to remove the bottom part of his lung, damaged his liver and severed his spine, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

The victim told police that he, the driver and McLain were in the car when it stopped running on the 500 block of Lincoln Street. While they were waiting for a tow, McLain took out a gun and pointed it at him, then pulled the trigger.

He “didn’t even say anything” and the victim “thought they were cool.”

McLain ran off.

Days later, McLain called the victim, saying it was an “accident,” then asked if the victim had a cash app. The victim hung up.

He said he had a video with McLain holding the same gun.

“I watched him literally put his finger on the trigger and shoot me,” the victim told investigators.

McLain sent Facebook messages after his arrest.

“Bro (expletive) u called the police,” he said in one.

mcolias@post-trib.com