WPB teen accused of shooting man during Home Depot parking lot robbery

LANTANA, Fla. (CBS12) — A late-night encounter in a Home Depot parking lot left a 19-year-old man fighting for his life after being robbed by a West Palm Beach teen, officers say.

The Boynton Beach Police Department (BBPD) reported that on October 23 around 10:30 PM, they received a call from a woman who said her boyfriend had been shot and was driving home.

Upon arrival, police found the victim with a gunshot wound to his abdomen and transported him to Delray Medical Center for treatment. The case was then turned over to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) due to the shooting in their jurisdiction.

In a conversation with detectives, the victim stated he was texting with a man, later identified as Jeremiah Ostin, 19, and agreed to meet him at a Home Depot at 7233 Seacrest Boulevard in Lantana.

The probable cause affidavit states the victim arrived alone and was met by an SUV with three people inside. Ostin and another man left the SUV and got into the victim’s car, while Ostin sat in the passenger seat.

During the encounter, the accomplice allegedly pointed an AK-47-style pistol at the victim’s head while Ostin demanded his backpack.

According to PBSO, the victim complied and handed the duo the bag, prompting the duo to exit his car.

The victim told officers he then tried to hit Ostin and his accomplice with his car. This prompted the duo to shoot at the vehicle, with one bullet hitting the victim in the abdomen.

When officers arrived at the Home Depot parking lot to investigate the scene, they reported finding a jar of possible marijuana, tire burn marks and two bullet casings.

The victim was unable to identify who shot him, but PBSO was able to locate Ostin because the victim followed him on Instagram earlier in the day. The second suspect remains unidentified as his hair covered his face during the incident.

Ostin is charged with attempted first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm.

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