Teen’s father says son was robbed before shooting of 17-year-old at Smithfield Walmart
The father of a teen charged with attempted first-degree murder after a 17-year-old was shot at Walmart Friday night said his son’s actions came after a robbery, media outlets reported Monday.
Matthew Jason Beddingfield, 19, turned himself in to Smithfield police around 6:45 a.m. Saturday, according to police. He is being held in the Johnston County jail on $1 million bail.
His father, Jason Beddingfield, told multiple news outlets that his son was robbed before the shooting..
Beddingfield said a group had stolen his son’s money and car’s console when his son fired shots, WRAL and CBS17 reported.
Officers responded to the shooting at the Walmart at 1299 N. Brightleaf Blvd. and found Hoctovio Garcia, who had been shot in the head, in the parking lot, police said.
Garcia was taken to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. WRAL reported he was in critical but stable condition.
The News & Observer was unable to reach Smithfield police for comment Monday evening.
Staff writer Ashad Hajela contributed to this story.
This story was originally published December 14, 2019 at 9:28 AM.
