In a startling turn of events, a dispute that initially revolved around a bag of chips culminated in a shooting incident involving two teenage boys. According to police, the altercation unfolded during a Pop Warner football practice in central Florida, where two 13-year-old boys allegedly engaged in bullying behavior towards an 11-year-old, preventing him from enjoying an after-practice snack.
Witnesses reported that the situation escalated, leading to the younger boy being pursued to his mother's parked car in the facility's parking lot. Surveillance footage captured the moment when the 11-year-old retrieved a small purple handgun from an unlocked box inside the vehicle. He pointed the firearm at the two older boys and discharged a single shot, grazing one on the hand and striking the other in the torso.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:18 pm, as detailed by Apopka Police Chief Mike McKinley during a press conference held the following day. Law enforcement swiftly responded to the scene at the Apopka sports facility, situated approximately 20 miles northeast of Orlando, and had the situation under control by 8:24 pm.
Both injured teenagers received prompt medical attention and were deemed to be in stable condition. The teenager with the hand injury was released from the hospital on the same night, while the other underwent surgery and remained hospitalized at the time of the press briefing.
Authorities successfully disarmed the child responsible for the shooting, subsequently taking him into custody. He now faces one count of second-degree attempted murder and has been placed in a juvenile assessment center.
His detention is expected to last two to three weeks, pending additional charges against him and his parents. The child's mother is likely to face a second-degree misdemeanor charge for leaving an unsecured firearm accessible to children.
Given the child's age of 11, he will be tried as a minor, as Florida state law does not make exceptions for individuals under 14, even in cases involving serious charges such as attempted murder. If convicted, the child may face penalties specific to juvenile offenders, which differ from those applied to adults.
A visibly concerned Chief McKinley emphasized the gravity of the situation during the press conference, highlighting the need for society to address the issue of children having access to firearms and believing they can resolve disputes with lethal force.
He urged parents to secure their firearms, emphasizing the life-altering consequences of a single impulsive decision.
McKinley expressed hope that the 11-year-old would receive the necessary support and intervention to prevent this incident from defining the rest of his life. He stressed the importance of diversion programs, counseling, and other forms of assistance in guiding the child toward a better future where resorting to firearms is not a solution.
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