The exact circumstances that led to a 17-year-old male being shot in the chest on May 31 are being investigated after the alleged victim changed his story, according to officials from the Santa Maria Police Department.
According to Sgt. Eligio Lara, the victim first told police that he was shot that night after someone attempted to rob him in the 1300 block of South Broadway, near the intersection of Stowell Road.
The SMPD swiftly issued a press release with information describing a suspect who was 30 years old, about 5-foot-8, weighing 200 pounds, and wearing a black hoodie. The victim told police that he was shot after the suspect demanded money.
Lara told the Sun that after further questioning, the victim claimed that he was instead shot near the corner of Pershing and Russell.
The SMPD issued another press release several hours after the first, and officers are now questioning if a robbery even took place. It basically boils down to the victim being uncooperative with police, he said.
“We haven’t been able to confirm a lot of statements made by the victim,” Lara added. “Some victims don’t particularly want law enforcement involved.”
Due to the investigation, the police couldn’t provide more details.
The teenager’s injury isn’t life threatening, and he’s expected to survive. Lara added that the SMPD made no arrests and hasn’t identified any suspects in the alleged crime.
This article appears in Jun 4-11, 2015.