A Hartford man shot a 17-year-old New Britain boy in the jaw after the teen stole the man’s car from his driveway, according to police.
The man called police at 7:45 a.m. Monday and reported that someone stole his 2001 Ford Taurus while it was warming up in the driveway.
He went looking for his car and found it on Maple Avenue.
According to police, as the man approached the car, the teenager behind the wheel pointed a gun at him, so the victim pulled his legal firearm at shot the teen in the jaw, police said.
The teen drove off and police received a call about the car, which they found abandoned at Webster and Crown streets.
Moments later, police received another call about a gunshot victim on South Street. Officers responded and found the teen, who was transported to Hartford Hospital. His wound is not life-threatening.
Police said the New Britain teen has a lengthy history of stealing cars in the region and there was an active arrest warrant for auto theft charges.
The car owner is cooperating with the investigation and was transported to the Major Crimes Division, police said.
Police are investigating and the Hartford State’s Attorney was notified.
