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17-year-old girl hospitalized after shooting in Auburndale; 1 in custody, police say

17-year-old boy ID’d as suspect, police say

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POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A suspect is in custody after a 17-year-old girl was shot Friday in Auburndale, police said.

Officers responded to a vehicle in a ditch around 4:45 p.m. in the area of Old Winter Garden and Parrot roads, where they located the girl unresponsive, according to a news release.

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The girl was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, police said.

A preliminary investigation found the suspect was a 17-year-old boy who followed the victim on the road in a different car, the release states. When the victim and her three passengers stopped on First Street near Rev. Earl Wright Park, the suspect drove beside the victim’s vehicle and shot into its driver’s side multiple times, police said. According to the release, none of the girl’s passengers were hurt.

The victim drove south on First Street after being shot, reaching Third Street, U.S. Highway 92, a field and finally the ditch, police said.

After identifying the suspect, police took him into custody, the release states.

The Auburndale Police Department is still investigating the shooting.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call the department at 863-965-5555 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.

This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.

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