Plea offered in East Chicago gas station slaying

Prosecutors said Thursday in court they were offering a plea deal for a man charged with killing a bystander buying a couple of sodas inside an East Chicago gas station.

Maurice Berry, 21, is charged with murder in the March 30, 2024, shooting death of Javier “Campa” Olvera, 49, of East Chicago.

Records show he was targeting someone else, his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend.

Prosecutors are offering a plea for murder and a gun enhancement — up to 85 years. In exchange, they will drop all other charges with the other man shot. A judge would have to accept the deal.

East Chicago police responded around 8 p.m. March 30 to a BP gas station, 4502 Indianapolis Blvd. Olvera was lying on the ground. He died of multiple gunshots, according to the Lake County coroner’s office. Another man — Berry’s target — was shot in the arm and taken to the hospital.

His trial is scheduled for May 27.

Gary man faces 5-year split term for stabbing roommate

A Gary man faces one year in prison with four years probation for stabbing his roommate.

Navarro Ewing, 46, pleaded guilty to battery by means of a deadly weapon.

If a judge accepts, his sentencing date is June 10.

Gary police responded Sept. 2, 2024, to the apartment on the 800 block of Massachusetts St.

The victim said he wanted to get out of there after they argued over $10. On the way toward the door, Ewing threw a butcher’s knife, stabbing him in the buttock, records show.

—Meredith Colias-Pete