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'My heart just sinks for him' | Video shows teen being robbed, carjacked at gunpoint

The carjacking happened at the carwash near Business 21 and 3rd Street, right around the corner from the Hillsboro Police Department.

HILLSBORO, Mo. — A teenager was washing his car is confronted by two men with guns. One of them, appearing to hold a semi-automatic weapon. The other, pointing a pistol in the 17-year-old's face on Memorial Day.

"They're just lucky they didn't get hold of some redneck that could've worked them over," said Tamara Seeck, a Hillsboro resident.

Surveillance video shows the victim, a 17-year-old, left fearing for his life.

"I thought it was just very sad… to be held up by gunpoint you know he's gonna have a lot of residual from that," said Seeck.

The carjacking happened at the carwash near Business 21 and 3rd Street, right around the corner from the Hillsboro Police Department. Officers say the victim came to wash his car shortly after Midnight. Something Seeck and others say they do all the time.

"You know I'll come in, cause that's my zen time where I can get my stuff done, but I probably won't come again at night since that happened," said Seeck. 

The victim's family did not want to speak on camera but sent us a statement. 

"This is a terrible incident we hope no other families have to experience. We hope you will respect our decision to maintain our privacy as we deal with the emotional and psychological fallout. And we ask that everyone pray for a society where this kind of thing is uncommon. Where respect for each other is more prevalent and where justice and love prevail. Endless thanks to our community for all of the love and support. " 

"My heart just sinks for him. Thinking of that happening to him in Hillsboro and being held at gunpoint is just not something that happens around here," said Jared Poyner, a family friend.

Poyner started a fundraiser to help replace the car that was stolen. 

"To a 17-year-old kid other than their phone, what's more important to them than their vehicle?" said Poyner.

Hillsboro police say the victim's car was found in St. Louis city about 3 hours later after it was banged up in an accident.

They're currently searching for four suspects, and while they do that, people here say they will continue rallying around the teen.

"That's what small-town America does, that's what they do," said Seeck. 

Hillsboro police say this is a scary reminder that even in a small community these types of crimes can occur. They're asking everyone to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, especially at night.

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