Gun Sale Gone Bad Led To Teen's Shooting: Cops

PINELLAS PARK, FL — The Pinellas Park Police Department has announced an arrest in a Tuesday night shooting that left a 17-year-old boy with serious injuries.

According to the agency, the boy agreed to meet with Ryan Marcus Cardwell, 20, in a parking lot at 5170 Park Blvd. around 10:30 p.m. March 14. Police say the boy agreed to meet Cardwell to sell him a gun.

"When the victim got into Cardwell's vehicle, the gun sale transaction fell through at which time the victim took Cardwell's wallet that contained a large amount of cash and returned to his own vehicle," an email from the police department said.

At that point, police say Cardwell got out of his vehicle and approached the teen's car, which had three other juveniles in it. Police say Cardwell "fired a handgun twice into the vehicle." The boy was hit once in the face and once in the leg, the email said.

After being struck, the 17-year-old drove to a parking lot on 52nd Street, where his friends bailed out.

Police say the teenager was listed in stable condition Wednesday.

Cardwell has been charged with attempted homicide and shooting into an occupied vehicle.

The 17-year-old's name is not being released.

Photo of Ryan Marcus Cardell courtesy of the Pinellas County Jail