NEWARK — A 17-year-old boy was arrested Monday after allegedly shooting a woman while confronting another teenager about a video game console and a pair of shoes in Licking County.
Newark Police received a call about a reported drive-by shooting within the city around 1:40 p.m., Police Chief John Brnjic told our news partners at 10TV in Columbus.
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When officers got on the scene, they found a 60-year-old woman who had been shot in her legs. She was taken to a Mount Carmel East hospital and later transferred to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. While the extent of her injuries is not known, police said in a release obtained by 10TV that they are believed to be non-life-threatening.
Officers learned that there was a group of juveniles at the scene at the time of the shooting. They had reportedly left the scene in two different vehicles. Nearby Licking County Sheriff’s Deputies were able to find both vehicles. A 17-year-old was found in one of the vehicles with a rifle and shell casings. Police said the rifle was believed to be used in the shooting.
Several other juveniles were detained and questioned along with the 17-year-old.
“During the interviews of all persons involved, the 17-year-old suspect was identified as the shooter,” the release stated.
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It was revealed that the suspect had gone to the woman’s home to confront another teenager about a PlayStation 4 and a pair of shoes.
Brnjic told 10TV that gun violence is a growing problem.
“Unfortunately, there have been a lot of reports of juveniles using weapons not only in Licking County but all-over Central Ohio,” he said.
Detectives will present the case to the Licking County Prosecutor’s Office for possible charges.
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