New Orleans Police say the person who shot a 14-year-old at the intersection of St. Roch Ave. and N. Miro S. early Tuesday was the owner of a car that the teen and one other were trying to burglarize.
All three have been placed under arrest.
According to police, the two juveniles were in the process of breaking into the vehicle in the 2400 block of N. Tonti St. While burglarizing the car, police say the owner, 26-year-old Denzal Peters, emerged and opened fire. The teenagers attempted to flee in their vehicle. The 14-year-old driver was hit and crashed into a parked car.
The suspected car burglars' vehicle had been reported stolen hours earlier. Police say they found drugs, burglary tools, and guns in the car.
When officers attempted to question Peters, investigators say he surrendered but refused to speak to detectives. Police obtained a search warrant on Peters' home and say they recovered a handgun, extended magazines, and 274 grams of marijuana.
One teenager was booked into the juvenile justice center on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a firearm by a juvenile, and simple burglary of a vehicle. The 14-year-old who was injured is facing the same charges, once released from the hospital.
Police booked Peters for aggravated battery by shooting; illegal discharge of a firearm; obstruction of justice; and Illegal carry of a firearm while in possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances.
