Holly MatkinHillside, NJ – One of three teenaged attempted burglary suspects who allegedly fled from police on Thursday night ended up accidentally shooting himself while trying to escape, according to investigators.
Hillside Police Department (HPD) Chief Vincent Ricciardi said the incident occurred in the area of Highland Avenue and Belleview Terrace at approximately 11 p.m. on April 13, after police received a report about three individuals who were allegedly trying to break into vehicles, NJ.com reported.
Officers responded to the scene and spotted the three suspects, who immediately took off running.
The officers were chasing the suspects north on Highland Avenue when a gunshot rang out, TAPintoHillside reported.
They stumbled upon a 16-year-old boy lying in the 1500-block of Highland Avenue a moment later, NJ.com reported.
Police said that was when the teen – who was allegedly one of the three juveniles they were chasing – told them he had shot himself.
Investigators said they recovered a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun from the boy’s waistband, NJ.com reported.
It is unclear where on his body he was shot or how the gun was fired.
The suspect was rushed to a local hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, NJ.com reported.
He has since been charged with unlawful possession of hollow-point bullets, eluding, resisting arrest, and juvenile delinquency.
Police apprehended one of the other two suspects and turned him over to his parents at police headquarters, NJ.com.
The second suspect, a 16-year-old male, was not initially charged with any offenses.
The third suspect remains on the loose, according to investigators.
It is unclear whether any vehicles were actually burglarized prior to the foot chase.
The location where the teens were allegedly attempting to break into cars is just three blocks away from HPD headquarters on Liberty Avenue, according to NJ.com.
