75-year-old Meals-On-Wheels driver shoots teen in self-defense in Northeast Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — A 75-year-old Meals-On-Wheels driver shot a teen in self-defense during an alleged robbery, police say.

The shooting occurred around 11:10 a.m. on Nov. 20 in the 1200 block of East 18th Street.

Columbus Police said one of the teens, a 14-year-old, pulled out a gun while the other, believed to be 15-years-old, entered his car and stole the driver’s cell phone and wallet.

The driver pulled out his legally-owned gun and shot the 14-year-old.

Medics arrived and transported the teen to Nationwide Children’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The 14-year-old has a criminal record for similar crimes. Police said the boy was arrested in August of 2020 for Theft of a Motor Vehicle, a felony, and in July of 2020 for two counts of Robbery and Kidnapping, both felonies.

Police are not charging the driver, but are charging the 14-year-old. Officers are still searching for the other suspect who fled the scene.

LifeCare Alliance President and CEO Charles Gehring sent a note to LifeCare Alliance stakeholders Friday afternoon.

According to what we know,” Gehring said, “he is legally allowed to carry the weapon and, again, the young person pulled a gun on our driver. Our driver was not hurt and is home and resting. Like all of our drivers, he passed our extensive background checks.