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Sheriff: 17-year-old shoots 15-year-old during argument over cell phone and money

The 15YO boy argued with 17YO boy over a phone
Posted at 6:16 PM, Mar 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-24 05:46:16-04

Pasco County Sheriff's Office deputies are investigating the shooting of a 15-year-old boy in New Port Richey.

Police received a call about a shooting near the 6400 block of Limerick Avenue at 5:11 p.m., according to officials.

Sheriff Chris Nocco says witnesses tell investigators the 15-year-old boy argued with 17-year-old Jerry Chiarella over a cell phone and money.

The teen got on a scooter and began leaving before Chiarella reached for a gun and fired three rounds at the teen, hitting him in the face and back. 

The teen was flown to a local hospital where investigators say he's in critical condition.

"These kids, 15 and 17 years old," said Sheriff Nocco, "no care in the world their way of solving problems is to shoot people."

Investigators are checking to see whether the shooting may be gang related.

Both teens have a criminal history.

Chiarella was arrested on a weapons charge, the 15-year-old for robbing an elderly man.