Photographer: WPTV
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 02/22/2012
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - West Palm Beach Police said they are looking for three black men who were reportedly driving a white ‘90s model Honda -- possibly an Acura -- with four doors and a sunroof after a 13-year-old boy was shot multiple times while riding his bike Wednesday.
Police say the shooting took place in the 3200 block of Electronics Way, an industrial part of the city.
"The vehicle pulled along the young man and fired numerous shots at him striking the victim at least three times," said Allan Ortman, a spokesperson for the West Palm Beach Police Department. "Once in the head and twice in the upper body area."
The boy was rushed to St. Mary's Medical Center in what authorities called "very grave" condition. In the moments after shots were fired, police interviewed witnesses hoping to find some clues that would lead to a suspect.
"Respond to any of them, it's tragic, but 13-years-old - he's got his whole life ahead of him," said Ortman. "It's very tragic."
The boy underwent surgery Wednesday evening and as of Thursday morning, police said his condition was "so far, so good." They are monitoring him.
Some family and friends gathered at the hospital Wednesday, but none wished to speak publicly about the shooting.
Investigators are not sure if the boy was targeted or if this was a random shooting. As of Thursday, no suspects have been named and no arrests were made.
"We're getting leads all the time. We haven't been able to talk to victim yet. He's still in critical condition, but he's with his family [and] he's out of surgery," said Ortman. "They're monitoring him at the hospital. Hopefully we'll be able to talk to him and get his description as well."
The West Palm Beach Police Department is asking anyone with information to call police immediately.
Christina Mora WPTV contributed to this story.
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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