Three Cape Coral teens, between the ages of 13 and 15, were arrested after a shooting involving a stolen SUV led police to uncover a string of vehicle thefts and stolen firearms. A 12-year-old was already arrested for pulling the trigger.
Video Above: Previous coverage of accidental shooting
According to the Cape Coral Police Department, the investigation began after officers responded to a report of a shooting at a home on Skyline Boulevard.
Brennan Smith, 12, called for help and said his friend had accidentally shot himself. When officers arrived, they found Qwa’miere Preston, 13, with a gunshot wound in the front passenger seat of a silver Nissan Rogue. The other teens in the car had run away before police arrived. Preston was taken to a hospital.
Detectives determined that Smith accidentally shot Preston. Smith was previously arrested on several charges related to the incident.
Later that day, a resident reported their 2013 blue Mitsubishi Outlander Sport stolen, which had two firearms inside.
Police said they learned that Preston stole the vehicle and picked up Smith. Surveillance footage from a local 7-Eleven showed the pair allegedly filling the vehicle with gas before abandoning it after getting it stuck in the sand.
Police found cell phone videos of Preston and Smith handling the stolen firearms inside the Mitsubishi. The video also showed the pair driving the stolen Nissan Rogue before picking up two other teens, Michael Hernandez, 15, and Antonio Lubin, 14.
Investigators said Hernandez was driving the Rogue when Preston was shot. Lubin and Smith were passengers.
Both Hernandez and Lubin ran away from the scene but were later found. Two stolen guns were found in the vehicle. Hernandez had an active Risk Protection Order, which prohibits him from having guns.
Preston was arrested on charges including armed burglary, grand theft of a vehicle and firearms, minor in possession of a firearm and improper exhibition of a firearm.
Hernandez, who was already in custody, faces similar charges, including violating the Risk Protection Order.
Lubinfaces charges of grand theft of a vehicle and firearm. Smith, also already in custody, faces additional charges of armed burglary and grand theft of a vehicle.
Cape Coral police say the investigation is ongoing.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more.