DETROIT (WXYZ) — "It's just a sad situation that a young man got shot because he was just trying to buy some fireworks," said the stepfather of the 16-year-old who was shot in the back around midnight.
The shooting happened at a fireworks tent on Greenfield near Joy Road on Detroit's west side.
The hours of operation for the fireworks is 9 am to 9 pm. When they're closed, the tent's soft sides are tied shut, but there is a security guard who sits inside overnight to protect the tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise.
The guard parks his vehicle in front of the tent and the teen's stepfather said that's why he thought it may have been open.
People who work in the area said it did not appear the security guard was employed by an actual security company.
The teen had been at a friend's house when he and that friend decided to get some air, saw the fireworks tent and wanted to buy some fireworks, according to his stepfather who did not want his name used.
The teen told police he was knocking hard on the tent to see if anyone was inside when he was shot. He then rode his bicycle a mile back to his own home where his mother and stepfather called for help.
The security guard was not at the location when police arrived to begin their investigation.
Detroit Police said they have not identified a suspect, but they are still investigating.
The teen is expected to be okay. His stepfather said the bullet did not hit any major organs.
