SOUTH BEND – A 16-year-old Clay High School student died Sunday from a gunshot wound to the head, the latest in a long line of people shot along Lincoln Way West on a weekend summer night.

Police say Eddie Ward Jr., who was listed as a junior in Clay’s 2009 yearbook, was outside the Phillips 66 gas station at 1623 Lincoln Way W. when he was shot just before 1:30 a.m. He was taken to Memorial Hospital, where he died about 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

According to a press release from the county’s multi-departmental Metro Homicide Unit, a suspect has been arrested in connection with Ward’s death, although police say the case is still an open investigation.

According to county jail records, the suspect is 17-year-old Rashard Taylor, who was taken to the jail Sunday, accused of attempted murder.

Although police released few details about the incidents surrounding the shooting, Ward’s death was the second of the weekend at a South Bend gas station.

On Friday, a 19-year-old woman was shot outside the Marathon station at 301 N. Lafayette. Police said the woman suffered a minor graze wound to the leg.

Police said it does not appear the shootings were related.

According to police reports, a crowd had gathered in the lot when a fight broke out between two women about 1:45 a.m. Police arrived at the scene to find one woman injured with a minor wound, but several silver shell casings on the ground.

South Bend police Sgt. Lee Ross said both incidents are typical of what officers say is an ongoing summer problem: teens and other young adults cruising Lincoln Way West into the early morning hours.

"It’s been a problem for a long time," Ross said.

Although most of the people are just wanting to talk with friends and hang out, Ross said drugs, firearms and grudges create problems.

"We try to get people to go home," Ross said, "but it doesn’t always work."

Ross said weekend traffic is typically heaviest in the summer, which coincides with an increase in violence. He said increased patrols on weekend nights help control problems, but he said business owners can also post "No Trespassing" signs to keep people from parking.

But with school recently out and a long summer ahead, Ross said he knows crowds will continue to gather.

"It’s a problem," Ross said, "but it’s something we prepare for."

Staff writer Dave Stephens:
dstephens@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6209