FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Paramedics rushed a 13-year-old boy to the hospital after a shooting in Pompano Beach, and deputies are now looking for the person who fired the weapon.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue units responded to shots fired at an apartment building in the area of Northwest 13th Street and Third Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.
Upon arrival, officials found the 13-year-old victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg.
According to BSO’s Violent Crimes Unit, the victim was inside a home with other people when the male subject, who was known to him, pulled out a firearm to show it off.
At some point, detectives said, “the firearm was discharged,” striking the teen in the leg. The subject then fled the scene.
Fire rescue crews transported the young patient to Broward Health Medical Center. His injury was not life-threatening.
7News cameras captured the backyard of a home cordoned off by police tape.
Ring surveillance video captured audio of what sounds like a gunshot.
Deputies said they continue their search for the subject.
A few hours after the shooting, a woman who appears to live in the home where it happened showed up visibly emotional and seen yelling at another boy, “It could have been you.” Then she slapped him.
A neighbor told 7News they were standing outside when they heard the gunshot. They then saw the victim, who was visiting an apartment nearby run out in pain, yelling that he had been shot. The neighbor called 911 and calmed the teen down while he put pressure on the wound with towels.
The neighbor added that one of the victim’s friends ran away but did not specify whether or not this was the shooyer, whereas the rest of his friends stayed behind.
Eddie James, one of the victim’s friends, appeared at the scene and told 7News they were wondering what hospital the victim had gone to, so that they could go check out on him.
Area resident Yvette Hernandez said she was shocked to hear what had happened.
“As a mother of a teenage daughter myself, it’s really sad that these type of things happen around here,” she said.
Others came home to crime scene tape and detectives collecting evidence as they worked to piece together what had occurred.
“I did see many cops, many cars, ambulances and police cars,” said area resident James Clairontus. “It’s scary when you have kids and you hear gunshots and you live around here. That makes you think, ‘What are you going to do?’ You have kids, you need to, like, keep them safe.”
It remains unclear whether or not the gun was discharged by accident or on purpose, as detectives continue to investigate.
If you have any information on this shooting or the subject’s whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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