A Gary man was arrested Tuesday in a suspected drug deal shooting at Sundance Apartment complex in Portage, Portage Police said.

According to Det. Capt. Terry Swickard, Bryant Young Jr. 21, of Gary, later confessed to shooting Devon Starkey Jr. 18, of Portage, during a drug deal.

Police said Devon Starkey Jr. and an 18 year old female had called Young in order to purchase marijuana. When Young arrived in the apartment complex, Starkey came out to Young’s vehicle, smelled the marijuana and allegedly punched Young in the left eye, then ran with the marijuana.

Young then said he pulled his .45 caliber weapon and fired one shot at Starkey, striking him in the upper left arm. Young then recovered the marijuana that was dropped by Starkey and fled the scene.

Police received a report of shots fired at 10:04 p.m. at the 5900 block at Sundance Apartment complex. Starkey was at the scene and was transported to St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, where he was treated and released.

Young later went to the Portage Police Department to confess. He was arrested and transported to Porter County Jail. Young was charged with aggravated battery, class B felony, battery, class C felony, criminal recklessness, class D felony and pointing a firearm, class D felony.

Posted 8/7/2008