Police: Publix security guard's weapon used in Largo shooting

A gun stolen last week from a Publix security guard in Clearwater was used later that night in an incident in which a 17-year-old was shot, Largo police reported Monday.

The robbery of the security guard occurred at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Publix at 1295 S Missouri Ave. Clearwater police said two people were on bicycles outside the store when one of them ripped the security guard's gun from his holster. The security guard fell and was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, police said.

Later that evening, just before 11 p.m., a 17-year-old boy was walking home in the area of ​​New Jersey Street and Clearwater-Largo Road when he “felt he was being followed,” Largo police said in a news release.

When the boy reached his backyard, three masked individuals — armed with at least two guns — fired 12 shots at the teen, hitting him in the leg. One of the shots struck the teen's grandmother's RV and “landed on her lap,” Largo's news release said.

A family member of the teenagers came out of the house and “was immediately shot at by the masked individuals,” the press release states. However, she was not hit.

The teenager was taken to a hospital. He identified one of the suspects to police as a teenager with whom he had “an ongoing feud,” the press release said.

During a search of the neighborhood, police found the 15-year-old boy and questioned him. He “confessed to the shooting,” the press release said.

Police also learned that one of the weapons used in the incident was one that had been stolen from a Publix security guard in Clearwater four hours before the shooting.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office found a second suspect, a 14-year-old boy, in St. Petersburg on Friday in possession of the weapon, police said.

The teenager also “admitted his involvement in the shooting,” the press release said. A third arrest in the case has not yet been announced.

The two arrested teenagers are accused of attempted premeditated murder and shooting in an inhabited building.

Clearwater police also announced that a 16-year-old and a 14-year-old were arrested in connection with the robbery of the Publix security guard.

The Tampa Bay Times is not naming the arrested juveniles because they are too old and it is unclear whether they will be charged as adults.

Times writer Tony Marrero contributed to this report.