INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 17-year-old remains in critical condition Thursday after he was shot during a gun purchase that turned into an armed robbery.
The teenager – identified as Tristin Lewis – had the firearm when he stole money from three other teenagers in a vehicle who planned to buy the handgun from him, Indian River County sheriff’s spokesman Maj. Eric Flowers said. Lewis, of the 1000 block of 10th Place, told the teens, “give me the money,” before reaching inside the Chevy Suburban and snatching cash from the teens.
The three other teenagers, identified as Wesley Gregory, 15, Zach Bilka, 18, and Austin Smith, 19, arranged to meet Lewis at his home for the purchase. Deputies were called to the scene about 6 p.m. Wednesday after one of the teens, Bilka, pulled out a gun from underneath his seat and shot Lewis.
Flowers said the three teens then fled the scene in the Suburban. Addresses for the three teens were not available.
Deputies found Lewis lying on the ground, wounded, with cash in one hand and a firearm in the other, Flowers said. The amount of cash he stole and the asking price for the weapon was not released.
Lewis was taken by ambulance to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute in Fort Pierce, Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Kyle Kofke said. Bilka, Gregory and Smith were all detained; detectives have not been able to speak with Lewis because of his condition, Flowers said.
Gregory was arrested on an unrelated violation of probation charge. The teen was then taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Fort Pierce, Flowers said.
Deputies seized both guns and the Suburban involved, Flowers said. It was unknown if the guns were stolen or where the weapons came from.
Charges are expected for the incident; but have not yet been filed. Deputies were working with the state attorney’s office to determine what the charges will be, Flowers said.
