An Illinois man faces charges for starting a fight that led his roommate to shoot him in self-defense, police allege.
Blaine Mineman, 34, of Evergreen Park, was charged Jan. 14 with battery resulting in serious bodily injury and strangulation.
He is in custody, held on a $3,000 cash surety bond.
Gary Police were called at 7 p.m. Jan. 12. The shooting happened on the 2300 block of Jefferson Street, while Mineman, shot in the leg, was three blocks east on the 2300 block of Broadway Avenue.
When officers went to the Jefferson address, the victim told cops Mineman attacked him first. A Canik 9mm gun was on a nightstand. The man had a swollen jaw and bloodied lips. Doctors later diagnosed him with a concussion and sprained wrist.
At the hospital, Mineman told cops in an untaped interview that the roommate was kicking him out for being too messy.
The argument turned into a fight in the basement before the other man shot him. Cops didn’t see any visible injuries on Mineman.
Mineman said they were former co-workers at an Illinois hospital. He moved in around May to have a place to stay and help with bills.
The roommate said Mineman was “lazy” and “disrespectful.” He took issue with Mineman smoking inside the basement’s door when he asked him to do it outside.
“You have two hobbies, one of which is (complaining),” Mineman responded.
Mineman charged at him, then pressed his neck into a wall, choked, struck him in the neck, then punched him several times, the roommate said. After he called 911, Mineman pushed him to the ground and repeatedly punched him.
Mineman lunged at him when he went for his phone, police wrote.
“Kill me,” the roommate alleged Mineman said at some point.
The roommate pulled a gun, then shot him. Mineman ran to a nearby gas station.
The roommate said Mineman was bigger than him and he was scared for his life. He hesitated to get medical care for “financial considerations” but still did it.
Mineman called 911 asking cops for a ride home after he was discharged. Police showed up and arrested him outside the ER.
He later told cops he was 15-20 feet away when the roommate – mad about scattered empty energy drink cans and where he smoked – shot him.
mcolias@post-trib.com