What's in a name: Vito Corleone shot by police in Florida...no not that one

Vito Corleone was shot and left paralyzed.

No, not that one. Fans of the "The Godfather" novel and movie might recognize the name as one of the main characters, played in the movie by Marlon Brando.

But, in this case, the shooting wasn't fiction and a teen in Florida was shot by a police officer in Miami.

On Jan. 16, police said they were on the lookout for a stolen car in Miami.

That same day, 15-year-old Vito Corleone-Venisee and two others were in a 2021 Dodge Challenger on their way to a car meet with friends to show off their cars, officials said.

According to authorities, the stolen vehicle, a Dodge Charger, was seen next to the Dodge Challenge containing Corleone-Venisee, the Miami Herald reported.

Officers ordered both vehicles to stop, but both cars fled and a chase began. The Charger escaped, but the Challenger eventually crashed through a fence and into a tree, forcing it to stop, police said.

From there, Corleone-Venisee and the other two occupants tried to run away. The other two got away, but Corleone-Venisee was shot, police said.

He was paralyzed from the neck down because of the shooting and he is recovering at the Jackson Memorial Hospital, officials said.

Corleone-Venisee has been charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a minor and resisting an officer without violence, police said. He is also facing charges for failing to appear at two court appearances late last year from 2020 arrests by different law enforcement agencies for attempted burglary and robbery.

Because of Marsy’s Law, the name of the officer who shot Corleone-Venisee is being withheld because they claim he is a victim. However, the Miami Herald reported the officer is Luke Marckioli, an experienced and decorated member of the force.