Bob Kasarda

PORTAGE — A report of gunfire in a residential area near Woodland Park resulted in the arrest of two young men on allegations of firing a gun at least 14 times striking a garbage can and tree, according to police.

Noah Cottle, 19, of Portage, and Yandel Diaz-Negron, 20, of Gary, are each charged with a felony count of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, records show.

Police said they responded shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday to the 5800 block of Gardenia Avenue where Cottle reportedly told them, "I'm going to be honest bro, we just shot a trash can and that's all there was ... we were just trying to have some fun."

Police said they recovered the 9mm handgun in question, which was owned by Cottle. They also reportedly found 14 shell casings along nearby railroad track

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