Port St. Lucie Police Department
Gunfire was reported at a McDonald’s restaurant in Port St. Lucie on the night of April 13, according to police officials.
Officers went to the restaurant at 3199 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd. about 9 p.m. and found a 16-year-old boy had sustained two gunshots wounds to his right leg, according to Officer Brittany McNally in a news release.
After an investigation, the boy was identified as the person who discharged the firearm and caused the gunshot wounds to his own leg, police officials said.
The boy was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. He was arrested and charged with robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a minor and violation of probation.
During the preliminary investigation, officials learned about an altercation involving multiple people at that restaurant. Initial reports led officials to believe the boy was shot by people at the restaurant as he crossed the roadway.
However, police said, further investigation showed the gunshot wound was self-inflicted as he tried to confront another boy who was riding an electric bike in the area.
He and two men tried to take the e-bike, according to McNally. Those two men, Andre Reid and Ed Cesar, both were arrested and charged with tampering with evidence. Reid also was charged with robbery with a firearm and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The two adults were taken to the St. Lucie County Jail and the boy was taken to the St. Lucie Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Fort Pierce. A Smith & Wesson pistol and two magazines were recovered from the area, police said.
The investigation remains ongoing with detectives actively working the case, McNally said.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Gunfire reported at McDonald’s in Florida leaves teen shot in leg
Reporting by Laurie K. Blandford, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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