MIAMI – The mother of a teenager who was shot by police after a chase in a stolen car said her son isn't a bad child.
Miami-Dade police said the suspect, identified Monday as Quayvis Howard, 16, was driving a car reported stolen during a carjacking when an officer attempted a traffic stop Sunday.
Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said Howard refused to stop and led police on a short pursuit before crashing into a store at Northwest 79th Street and Northwest 16th Avenue.
Zabaleta said the teen started to run and was pursued by the officer when a confrontation ensued, prompting the officer to open fire.
Howard was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, where his mother said that he remains on a ventilator.
Zabaleta said a .40-caliber handgun was found in the car.
Crystal Howard told Local 10 News that she doesn't understand what happened to her son, who police said is a documented gang member.
Investigators said two other robberies involving a car matching the description of the stolen car were reported in the same area.
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