Teen shot in Pueblo while trying to steal marijuana, police say

A Pueblo man is in jail, accused of shooting a teenager who was trying to steal his marijuana.

Police say a 17-year-old male went to the hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. He first told police he was shot after leaving a party on the west side of Pueblo.

They later determined the teen and another individual jumped a fence and were trying to steal marijuana plants in an outdoor grow in the 1600 block of W 13th St.

Police say Vincent Duran, 55, confronted the two individuals and shot at them as they tried to flee Duran’s backyard.

The juvenile was treated, released and taken to the Pueblo Youth Services Center (PYSC) where hewas booked in on burglary charges.

Duran was arrested and booked on first-degree assault. He will also be receiving a summons forthe outdoor grow of six plants — one for each plant found, and an additional six nuisance counts. Each count holds a potential fine of $1,000.

A nuisance order was also issued, which requires the removal of the grow.

A second individual, who police say was with the 17-year-old male, is still at large and being sought.

Sgt. Eric Gonzales said this incident is not justifiable under Colorado’s Make My Day law because the teen was never inside of the home — he was in the yard.

“That’s only if an intruder is coming into your house and you fear for your life, and that’s a totally different story,” Gonzales said. “This is just an individual shooting a person for property. That’s not allowed. That is an assault charge.”

Gonzales said the incident also serves as a reminder that outdoor grows are not allowed in the city of Pueblo.