Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
A botched robbery this weekend left one teen dead and a second teen charged with murder – all while the robbery victim and police say the shooting was in self defense.
Around 5 a.m. Saturday, investigators say two 15-year-old boys tried to rob a woman at gunpoint in the 3600 block of Reading Road.
The victim drew her own firearm and shot at the teens, striking 15-year-old Jordan Lara. He was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
The actual shooter, the victim of the robbery, is not facing any charges. However, the surviving teen is.
He appeared in court Friday on aggravated robbery and murder charges. He was calm and often looked back at his mother during his appearance before Magistrate Mary Schulcz.
His mother cried. She quietly said, "I know," to her son as he shook his head "no" when the murder charge was being discussed.
Prosecutors said the teen also faced a probation violation for getting in trouble and skipping three days of school. He was on probation due to a prior charge of receiving stolen property, officials said.
Schulcz ruled that the teen would be held in juvenile detention at least until his next hearing before Judge John Williams on July 10.
Ohio law allows for people involved in crimes that result in any deaths to be charged with murder, even if the defendant did not directly kill the victim. For example, if a person is killed during a bank robbery, the getaway driver can be charged with murder.
Police have not revealed the identity of the person who shot Jordan. No charges have been filed against that individual.
Due to his age, the teen's case is now in Hamilton County Juvenile Court. Prosecutors said in court Friday they will attempt to try him as an adult.
The Enquirer is not naming the accused teen due to his age.