| State Police are trying to determine why a Boone County teenager allegedly stole three cars, shot a man in the neck and later fired at troopers and sheriff's officials during a five-hour stand-off.
The alleged crime spree began when the unidentified 17-year-old boy stole a vehicle in the Wharton area. The suspect then allegedly drove to the Gordon home of Billy Hastings, shot Hastings with a high-powered rifle and stole a car belonging to the victim's wife.
Hastings is currently under evaluation at CAMC General Hospital.
Investigators say the teen drove about three miles before the car broke down. He then allegedly went to another residence, where he fired at another man and then stole that man's vehicle.
The suspect then allegedly set that car on fire in the Bim area of Wharton. That's where the stand-off, in which 20 officers eventually became involved, took place.
State Police First Sergeant M.L. Watts says the suspect was hiding at an abandoned house. The teen allegedly fired at the officers at least three times before surrendering.
The boy is being held in the Donald Kuhn Juvenile Detention Center. | 
