Teen convicted in December shooting outside Lafayette mall

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - A 17-year-old boy who police said fired three shots at another teen outside a northwestern Indiana mall has been convicted in the December shooting.

Iyon Erves wept after Tippecanoe Circuit Judge Sean Persin convicted the teen Thursday of attempted murder and attempted battery with a deadly weapon following a bench trial, the Journal & Courier reported.

Police said Erves, who was tried as an adult, confronted Dondre Hawkins inside the Tippecanoe Mall in Lafayette on Dec. 27, and the two went outside to fight, joined by four of Hawkins' friends. Once everyone was outside, Erves fired three shots at Hawkins.

Erves whose sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 17, was also convicted of intimidation against Hawkins.

Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington said he agreed with the judge's verdicts.

'œIt's important for our community to know that law enforcement and our office will continue to make our community safe, especially in public places,'ť he said.