Boy, 15, Shot in Face, Back, in Critical Condition in New Port Richey [UPDATE]

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL – UPDATE: THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 10 p.m.

A 17-year-old is in custody tonight after turning himself in for allegedly shooting a boy, 15, in the face and back this evening in New Port Richey, officials said.

The victim is in critical condition at a local hospital, the Pasco Sheriff's Office said.

Two witnesses told investigators the boys were on Aberdeen Avenue shortly after 5 p.m. when they got into an argument, "possibly over money or about buying a cell phone," Sheriff Chris Nocco said. As the 15-year-old got on his scooter and began to ride away, the older boy allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at least three rounds at the victim, he said.

As responders were enroute to the crime scene, the alleged shooter turned himself in at the local office in New Port Richey, the agency said. His interrogation was still underway as of 9 p.m., Nocco said, adding that officials may wish to try him as an adult for the crime.

Nocco said the Tampa Bay region is experiencing an alarming jump in juvenile crime.

"We're seeing juvenile crime on the rise. ... Their way of solving problems is to shoot people," he said. "They have no understanding what 'tomorrow' means."

The department did say both youth have previous records: The 15-year-old victim previously was arrested for robbing an elderly man; the 17-year-old was charged with carrying a concealed weapon in another jurisdiction.

Anyone with additional information on the incident is asked to contact the Pasco Sheriff's Office at (727) 847-5878.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 6:19 p.m.

A 15-year-old boy was shot this evening in New Port Richey, according to the Pasco Sheriff's Office.

The shooting was reported at 5:11 p.m. near the 6400 block of Limerick Avenue, and the teen was flown to a local hospital, deputies said.

No additional information was released.

--Patch will update when more details are available.

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--Images via Pasco Sheriff