13-year-old carjacker shot by passenger during botched Miami carjacking attempt

A group of criminals in North Miami Beach, Florida attempted to carjack an unsuspecting couple at a red light, but they didn't count on one of the vehicle passengers to be armed.

At around midnight on Feb. 23, 2016 four suspects, including a 13-year-old, rushed a Honda Civic in North Miami Beach in an attempt to steal the vehicle. The victims, whose names have not been released, were boyfriend and girlfriend. The female victim was driving, while the male victim was riding in the front passenger seat. When the group approached the vehicle and attempted to gain entry, the male victim opened fire from inside of the vehicle, striking the 13-year-old assailant. The remaining three would-be carjackers dispersed, leaving their criminal companion to bleed in the street.

North Miami Beach Police Department Detective Cora Mann told WSVN.com, "He (the passenger) was afraid for his life. He was protecting himself and his girlfriend."

It has not been reported if the victim's firearm was legally registered.

The 13-year-old was rushed to Ryder Trauma Center in stable condition, and is expected to make a full recovery. However when he is released from the hospital he will be charged as an adult. According to Mann, "He'll be charged when he gets out the hospital with attempted carjacking with a firearm."

The 13-year-old may, if convicted, spend nearly the rest of his life in prison. Florida law 812.133 states carjacking with a firearm is a first degree felony punishable by "a term of years not exceeding life imprisonment."

The remaining three suspects are still at large.

Article originally published in my now discontinued column on Examiner.com on February 29, 2016.