Authorities allege Maurice Berry walked inside an East Chicago BP gas station in March 2024 to shoot his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend.
Instead, he killed 49-year-old Javier “Campa” Olvera, there to buy a few sodas. The other man he was targeting was shot in the arm.
Berry, 22, of Hammond, is on trial this week.
He is charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, operating a loaded machine gun, possession of a machine gun and misdemeanor theft. He has pleaded not guilty.
Jury selection started Tuesday, with opening arguments expected in the afternoon. Last week, Berry rejected an offered plea deal for murder and a gun enhancement – for up to 85 years.
East Chicago Police responded around 8 p.m. March 30, 2024, to a BP gas station, 4502 Indianapolis Blvd. Olvera was lying on the ground, shot multiple times.
Surveillance video showed Berry pull up in a black Chevy Trailblazer, then go inside holding a concealed object in his hand.
Olvera was already in line. The other man — who was later wounded — walked inside and “looked at Berry.” On camera, the man and Berry appeared to exchange words.
Berry shot at the man. Olvera dropped to the floor “immediately.”
Berry fled in the Trailblazer. The shots were fired within two seconds, leading police to believe the handgun was modified to fire automatically with a switch.
The other man at first claimed Berry “thought he was someone else,” before admitting their connection. He was there to buy a cigar, he said.
The man said he had a gun but didn’t fire it at Berry. The bullet broke the other man’s upper arm with bullet fragments hitting his chest.
Olvera worked for 18 years as a forklift driver at Hammond’s Pacmoore Products, according to his obituary. He loved his family and his favorite sports teams — the Los Angeles Dodgers, Liverpool FC and Club America.
He also loved riding bikes and Mexican music.
The trial is before Judge Natalie Bokota with Deputy Prosecutors Tim Brown and Lindsay Latham assigned and defense lawyer Susan Severtson representing Berry.
mcolias@post-trib.com
