12-year-old boy fatally shot after man found him in alleged stolen car, Denver police say

Police in Colorado are investigating a car theft and the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old boy after the vehicle's owner found the boy inside the car, officials said.

A man, whom authorities did not identify, reported his car was stolen Sunday and told police he was tracking the vehicle using an app, according to the Denver Police Department.

When the man found his car about 10 miles away and approached the vehicle, he was “involved in an exchange of gunfire” with at least one person sitting inside the vehicle, police said in a news release. 

The boy drove a few blocks away, and police said they found him inside with a gunshot wound. He died after being taken to the hospital. Other people who were in the vehicle apparently ran away before officers arrived, police said.

Police did not say how or why the shooting took place and, as of Friday, no arrests had been made.

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It was not immediately known who stole the vehicle.

When police complete an investigation, they said, they will provide their findings to the Denver District Attorney's Office, which will decide on any criminal charges.

Contributing: The Associated Press

Natalie Neysa Alund covers trending news for Paste BN. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.