The investigation continues into Saturday’s 3:40 a.m. shooting near the intersection of Elm Street and 4th Avenue South that injured a 15-year-old male.
A person walking through the parking lot at 712 4th Avenue South noticed a person sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle and two others standing near a red car wearing ski masks. The passerby alerted a security guard due to recent vehicle break-ins at that location.
The security guard responded to the area and reported that he saw three persons near a red vehicle. When he shined his flashlight on them, he said they walked away and got into a blue Hyundai Elantra. He walked up to the driver’s window and tapped on it. At this time, he said the driver backed out at a high rate of speed, nearly striking him. He shined his flashlight at them again, telling them to stop. The driver accelerated, striking the guard which caused him to land on the hood of the car. He yelled for the driver to stop and when they did not, he reported that he pulled his firearm and fired into the windshield. The driver turned sharply, throwing the security guard off the Elantra. The vehicle traveled through the parking lot and over the curb before stopping in the middle of Elm Street between 4th and 3rd Avenues South. All three occupants fled on foot. Officers located the 15-year-old, who had been struck by gunfire, in a nearby alley and rendered aid. He was transported to Vanderbilt Pediatrics where he is expected to recover from his injuries.
The Hyundai Elantra had two bullet holes through the front windshield. A back window had been broken out and the ignition punched out. Officers ran the tag on the vehicle and located the owner who was unaware that her car had been stolen overnight. It had been parked on Susannah Drive. Officers also located a red Hyundai Accent in the parking lot with a busted out rear passenger window and the ignition switch pulled out from the dashboard as if someone was in the process of stealing the car.
Efforts are underway to locate the other two occupants who fled from the stolen Hyundai Elantra.
There are no charges at present. This case will be staffed with the District Attorney’s Office at the conclusion.