16-year-old armed robbery suspect wounded during shootout in Pike Road
PIKE ROAD — A 16-year-old suspect is recovering in a Bullock County hospital Wednesday after being shot Tuesday afternoon by a witness to an armed robbery in Pike Road.
The teen allegedly went into a store in the 9700 block of Vaughan Road about 4 p.m., armed with a handgun, said Sheriff Derrick Cunningham. His name was not released because he is a minor. After leaving the store on foot, a witness followed him in a pickup truck.
The teen allegedly fired several times at the witness, who then returned fire. The witness, a former law enforcement officer, struck the teen in the torso during the shootout, Cunningham said.
"The witness saw the suspect leave the store, wearing a mask, and was basically following the suspect to give us updates," the sheriff said. "He's not a current officer, but he's a former law enforcement officer. The suspect turned and discharged his weapon several times at the witness.
"He shot up the witness' truck, hitting it four of five times The witness returned fire."
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After the gunfight the teen ran to the nearby Lochshire neighborhood where he allegedly forced his way into an occupied home.
"He had jumped a fence and entered the home, and the owner ran out," Cunningham said. "He left that home, pulled off his shirt and jumped another fence. He attempted to get into another home, but couldn't.
"He ran to his car and attempted to flee."
A gunshot wound victim was admitted to the emergency room of the Bullock County Hospital about 9:30 p.m., and was identified as the suspect, Cunningham said.
The teen has been charged with armed robbery, attempted murder, burglary and shooting into an occupied vehicle, Cunningham said.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Teen suspect shot during armed robbery in Pike Road
