12-year-old shot dead by car owner tracking stolen vehicle, Colorado police say

A 12-year-old boy was shot and killed while driving a stolen vehicle being tracked by its owner in Denver, Colorado police reported.

Elias Armstrong died after being shot around 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5, in the 1100 block of Decatur Street, police told KMGH.

The owner notified police he was tracking the stolen vehicle with an app, Denver police said in a news release.

When he approached the stopped vehicle, the man said a shootout erupted with someone inside, police said. The 12-year-old drove the vehicle to the 2900 block of W. 10th Avenue, where police found it.

The boy was taken to a hospital, where he died, police said. Several other people in the vehicle apparently ran away after it stopped.

Police do not know who shot at the owner, who has not been arrested while the incident remains under investigation, the release said.

Investigators ask that anyone with information call 720-913-7867.

This story was originally published February 8, 2023 at 11:12 AM with the headline "12-year-old shot dead by car owner tracking stolen vehicle, Colorado police say."