The continuing investigation into Monday night’s shooting of a 17-year-old male outside a market on Smith Springs Road is showing that he is a robbery suspect who was wounded by a 20-year-old after, according to the 20-year-old, the teen pulled a pistol and robbed him.
The 20-year-old’s mother during the night contacted a member of the police department who has been closely involved in outreach to the Hispanic community to report what her son told her about the shooting incident. Detectives responded to the residence, recovered the rifle involved, and interviewed the 20-year-old. He reported leaving the convenience market with his girlfriend and walking to his pickup truck. He said the 17-year-old approached the passenger side of the vehicle and robbed him at gunpoint, after which the 20-year-old said he retrieved a rifle from his vehicle, walked after the teen and shot him with the perception that the teen was going for the pistol. A nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol was found in the 17-year-old’s clothing. The 20-year-old said he retrieved his belongings and drove away.
Detectives have not yet had the opportunity to interview the 17-year-old due to his medical condition.
No charges have been placed against the 20-year-old as of now. This case will be staffed with he District Attorney’s Office in the near future.