Police: Teen shot in head while in stolen car during chase

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Three men were arrested in Volusia County, accused of shooting a teenager in the head.

Investigators said three men in a stolen Dodge Charger were chasing occupants in a red stolen Ford on Wesley Street and shooting at them, when one of the bullets struck Jiron Dent, 17, in the head.

Neighbors said they heard the gunfire and saw the red car with a man wounded inside.

Police said the driver of the red car ran away, and those in the Charger took off, leading police on a chase.

"It's sad, because we got kids in this neighborhood going to school. It's scary, because this happened right in front of my door," said Traci Smith.

During the foot chase, one of the men dropped a gun, authorities said.

"As they come over the back fence, officers are there to make an arrest. The third male was found hiding underneath the crawl space inside the house," said Daytona Beach Police Chief Michael Chitwood.

Dent remains in critical condition at a hospital.

Police said George Green Jr., Justin Nelson and Tijuan Isaac were jailed on a number of charges, but if Dent does not survive, the charges could also include murder.

“Fortunately, no innocent person got hurt during this. It was some great police work to make the apprehension,” Chitwood said.

Police said they are searching for a man who was inside the stolen Ford 500 that Dent was riding in when he was shot.

“It's scary, because this happened right in front of my door,” Smith said.

“There isn't anything that's going to end until these people's asses sit in jail and rot,” Chitwood said.

WFTV found out Dent has a criminal history that includes weapons violations and burglary.

Chitwood said drugs may have played a role in the incident.

Police said two of the men taken into custody are "well-known" to authorities.

Meanwhile, the three men are expected to appear before a judge Wednesday.

WFTV