Lizzie Kaboski

CROWN POINT — A Hammond man is on trial this week for allegedly opening fire on his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend inside an East Chicago gas station last year, which killed an uninvolved bystander in the process.

Maurice Berry Jr., 22, is accused of firing the fatal shot that killed Javier Olvera-Aguilar, 49, March 30, 2024, inside a BP gas station at 4502 Indianapolis Boulevard and attempting to kill the other victim.

Olvera-Aguilar was at the checkout counter when he was struck. Deputy Prosecutor Tim Brown said he was purchasing soda for his family's Easter celebration the next day.

"He's only dead because he stood in the defendant's line of fire," Brown said.

Berry is charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, operating a loaded machine gun, possess

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