A 17-year-old was arrested earlier this week in connection with a shooting at a roller rink in Waterford Township, Michigan. The boy, a resident of Pontiac, Michigan, was arrested after a caller tipped off police to his whereabouts. Police found him, a passenger, in a car his mother was driving.

Police say they were going to arraign him on 14 criminal counts, including firearm possession in commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit homicide, assault with intent to murder and weapons possession.

The 17-year-old was on juvenile probation for drug and gun charges when the shooting happened Dec. 23 during a private party at the skating rink. Police said the incident was gang-related, and the intended victim was one of the five people between the ages of 20 and 23 who were shot. Their injuries were described as mild.

The incident appears to stem from a gang-related dispute between two rival Pontiac gangs, the Goon Squad and 1st Enfantry. Two other alleged shooters in the incident are still at large and a reward was issued for information leading to their arrest.

Crimes involving weapons are taken extremely seriously in Michigan, especially when people are injured as a result. When juveniles are accused of crimes such as these, their entire future is on the line. People who face felony charges of assault, murder, weapons crimes or other serious charges are encouraged to consult with an experienced defense attorney who will fight for their rights and for their freedom.

Source: Detroit Free Press, "Suspect captured in Waterford roller-rink shooting," Megha Satyanarayana, Jan. 17, 2012