Teens Get Shot at in Car While Playing ‘Pokémon Go’

Police said two teens in a parked car were playing “Pokémon Go” when they were shot at by a homeowner early Sunday morning. No one was hurt and no charges were filed, police said.

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The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early morning shooting that occurred in front of 41 Primrose Lane in Palm Coast.

After arriving at the incident location, deputies interviewed the homeowner and learned that he was awakened by a loud noise coming from outside of his home. He got up from bed and looked outside and noticed a small white car with its brake lights on in the roadway in front of his home. He armed himself with a handgun and went outside to investigate and as he approached the vehicle, he heard someone say something like “did you get anything.” He told deputies that he then stepped in front of the vehicle and ordered the vehicle not to move. The homeowner stated the vehicle accelerated toward him causing him to flee the roadway. Because he believed the vehicle was attempting to strike him, he discharged his handgun several times at the vehicle. The vehicle sped away and was not located after a search of the area was conducted.

At approximately 10:30 this morning, the FCSO received a call from a parent of a 19-year-old Palm Coast man stating her son just advised her that he and a 16-year-old friend were playing “Pokémon Go” using the smartphone app at approximately 1:30 this morning when they were confronted by a man who came out from his home and shot at them several times. She stated they did not tell her until this morning when they observed the car had a flat tire and bullet holes in the rear tire, hubcap and fender. After speaking to the teens, deputies learned that while they were sitting in the car on Primrose Lane, they heard someone say “did you catch him” and one of the teens stated “yeah, did you?” It was at this time that they heard gunshots and they sped away and drove immediately home. When they arrived at the home, they checked themselves to see if they were injured and they inspected the car to the best of their ability, but did not find any noticeable damage. Since they were not injured and there was no damage to the vehicle, they thought it was someone trying to scare them and this is why they did not contact law enforcement or tell their parents.

The investigation is continuing and additional details will be provided as they become available.