Teen accused of shooting man following discussion over stolen weapon

LONDON, Ky. (WTVQ) – A 16-year old boy is accused of shooting a man following a discussion over a stolen weapon in Laurel County, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies say the teenager shot 38-year old Timothy Dewayne Smith, of London, in the leg with a .45 caliber pistol Wednesday afternoon outside a mobile home off Slate Lick Road.

Investigators say Smith was airlifted to UK Hospital in Lexington with a non-life threatening injury.

Deputies say after an extensive search, they found the teen a half-mile away from the shooting scene about an hour after the incident.  He was arrested without incident.  Deputies say they found the gun reportedly used in the shooting after they say the teenager tried to hide it.

The mobile home at the shooting scene was struck by bullets, according to deputies.  They say there were three people in the home at the time, but they were not hit by gunfire.

The teenager, whose name wasn’t released because of his age, was taken to the Breathitt County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Deputies say the teen was charged with assault, wanton endangerment, tampering with physical evidence and giving an officer false identifying information.