Neighbor Shoots 17-Year-Old Who Was Pointing 2 Toy Guns: Police

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — A person suspected of breaking into a woman's car in Spotsylvania County was shot by a neighbor who was attempting to stop him from leaving the area, according to the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. Tuesday night in the area of Harrison Road and North Dickerson Drive.

A woman who lives on Forbidden Forest Circle, a residential street in the area, saw an unknown male in her vehicle. When she confronted the male, he pulled a mask over his face and began to walk away with items he had taken from her vehicle, according to the sheriff's office.

The woman began following the male, yelling for him to stop. A neighbor and his wife, who saw what was happening, got into their car to attempt to help the woman. While on the phone with 911, they told the operator that they were following the male and were attempting to stop him.

After hanging up with the 911 operator, the couple positioned their vehicle in front of the suspect. As the man got out of the car, he told the suspect to stop.

The suspect turned toward the couple, pointing what appeared to be two handguns in their direction. The man, who has a valid concealed weapon permit, fired at the suspect, according to the sheriff's office. The suspect fled to a nearby street where he ended up stopping at a residence asking for them to call for help.

The man who shot the suspect stayed and cooperated with the sheriff's office. During the investigation, both handguns that the suspect pointed at the couple were found. They turned out to be toy guns that had been painted black, the sheriff's office said.

Several witnesses corroborated the events, which led detectives to charge the suspect, a 17-year-old from Spotsylvania, with brandishing a firearm, wearing a mask in public and petit larceny, according to the sheriff's office. After being treated at a local hospital for a gunshot wound to his leg, the juvenile was transported to the Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center.