LARGO - Detectives released on Friday a photograph of a 19-year-old Largo man who they say shot a teenager Monday during a drug deal.
The suspect, identified as Jason Christopher Daiuto of 2822 Green Acres Ave., remained on the loose. Police have obtained an arrest warrant charging him with aggravated battery and attempted armed robbery.
The 17-year-old victim, whose name was not made public, was treated at Morton Plant Hospital for a bullet wound to his left leg and later released, police said.
According to investigators, the victim met Daiuto outside a quadruplex on 141 Fulton St. NE about 4:45 p.m. Monday to buy marijuana. An acquaintance of the victim had arranged the meeting.
Rather than sell the illegal drug, Daiuto pulled a gun and demanded the victim's money, said Largo police Detective Keith Barton.
The victim said he had left his cash in the car.
"I'm going to count to three and I'm going to shoot," said Daiuto, according to Barton.
When the victim again insisted he had no money, Daiuto shot him once in the leg, Barton said.
Daiuto, whose juvenile record includes charges of grand theft and burglary, then ran away, the detective said. The victim limped to his car, where two friends were waiting nearby, and was taken to the hospital.
Daiuto is a white man, 5 feet 8, 140 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Largo police at 587-6730.
