Colorado Kid Dies Following an Auto Theft That Ended in Gun Fight

A Colorado kid died after gunfire erupted between a man tracking his stolen vehicle through a smartphone app and the thieves, police said.

In a statement, the Denver police noted that they received an auto theft report Sunday while the car owner was using an app on his phone to track the stolen vehicle.

Police said the car owner reported it stolen in the 8300-block of E. Northfield Boulevard and tracked the vehicle using a phone app to the intersection of North Decatur Street and West 12th Avenue. Authorities noted the car owner engaged in gunfire with the occupants of the stolen vehicle when he approached the car.

According to the police, a juvenile male, who stole the vehicle, then drove the car a few blocks, roughly 0.2 miles, where officers found him with a gunshot wound. Fox News reported that the juvenile male was rushed to a hospital, where he eventually died.

According to The Denver Post, the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner has identified the juvenile as 12-year-old Elias Armstrong. The Colorado kid's death was ruled a homicide.

Shooting Incident That Kills the Colorado Kid Remains Under Investigation

Police have yet to arrest the car owner who exchanged fire with the suspects as of Wednesday afternoon. Authorities noted that the incident remains under investigation, and the vehicle's owner has not been charged with a crime yet.

In the press release, the Denver police said it appeared that other occupants of the stolen car "fled on foot from the 2900 block of W. 10th Ave. prior to officers' arrival."

The police department told 9NEWS who fired first or what led to the gunfire exchange was a factor in the "current determination regarding arrest." However, a Denver Police Department spokesperson told the outlet that they could not confirm or tackle those details due to the ongoing probe.

The spokesperson noted that they generally encourage residents to be "good witnesses" and report all details to police for follow-up on a stolen vehicle, including the vehicle's location if they can track it.

The spokesperson added that they also encourage people to avoid interactions with a car thief or anyone who committed another crime and put their personal safety first. The shooting occurred in the district of Denver City Councilwoman Jamie Torres, who called the incident "absolutely tragic" and "likely avoidable."

Auto Theft Is Rampant in Colorado

The Denver Police Department reported that auto theft is up 78% from the three-year average, with thieves also stealing things out of cars and from under them, according to Denver 7.

Gauge Authier, the owner of a stolen 2005 Chevy Tahoe, told the outlet that his vehicle was trashed. Authier noted that the back seat of his car was ripped out, and the subs and radio were taken. He said the thieves also "cut the ignition wires and stole the battery."

Thieves reportedly stole Authier's SUV from the Regional Transportation District's parking lot at 40th Avenue. Denver police recovered the vehicle three weeks later.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Denver Police Still Investigating Shooting of a 12-Year-Old Boy - From 9NEWS