Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland said the teen, James McCauley, has been charged with criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.
The victim, 18-year-old Haverford High student Marquis Mays, remains in critical condition.
Police arrived at the residential scene at Rose Tree Lane and Glen Gary Drive around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, where they found Mays lying on his back in the road with a gunshot wound to his face.
He remains in the hospital with a bullet lodged in his neck.
Mays and a friend had arranged to purchase $150 worth of marijuana in cash — equal to 1 ounce — from three others Tuesday night, including McCauley.
During the meet-up, Mays and his friend got into the back seat of McCauley's car to make the purchase.
"And during the exchange, one of the males in the rear seat of the vehicle became aggressive," said Copeland.
McCauley, who was driving the car, pulled out a gun and shot the victim in his face.
McCauley was arrested Wednesday morning at his parents' Haverford Township home. He was also charged for the possession of a stolen semi-automatic handgun, which was hidden on the property. Detectives also found a shell casing and blood in the car.
"While this is frankly an isolated incident of violence in our community, we do not condone or tolerate any acts of violence or drug trafficking in our neighborhoods in Delaware County," said Copeland.
Two other teens are being questioned by police.
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