11-Year-Old Boy Allegedly Shoots Two Teammates After Snack Squabble
In an unsettling incident, an 11-year-old boy from Florida allegedly opened fire on two of his Pop Warner youth football teammates. The incident unfolded after a Monday night practice, triggered by a dispute over a bag of chips, according to police reports.
The child, whose identity remains undisclosed, now faces one count of attempted second-degree murder, as announced by Apopka Police Chief Michael McKinley during a news conference held on Tuesday morning.
The sequence of events indicates that the boy retrieved a firearm from an unlocked box inside his mother’s SUV. He then reportedly aimed and fired at another teammate, striking him in the back, all within the vicinity of a practice complex in Apopka, as reported by Fox Orlando. The same bullet hit another young teammate in the arm. Both victims, aged 13, were promptly transported to a hospital and are expected to recover from their injuries.
A surveillance camera captured the alarming moment, showing the young boy allegedly shooting at his teammate following the football practice in Apopka, Florida. The suspected shooter was detained at the scene.
McKinley expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasizing the gravity of juveniles having access to firearms. He stated, “Juveniles, young juveniles…that have access to guns, but the more disturbing part is that they believe that gun, that firearm, is a resolution to their problem.” He added, “And it’s not a resolution to anybody’s problems. It just creates more problems for everybody involved.”
Surveillance footage from a nearby building offers a glimpse of the alleged shooter being pursued by one of the victims. The young shooter appears to head towards a vehicle, reaching inside before firing a shot. This prompted nearby individuals to flee the area.
The suspect now faces charges of attempted murder for injuring two individuals. When asked about the possibility of additional charges, McKinley commented, “That it’ll be up to the courts if they want to separate those [charges].” He underscored the seriousness of the situation, reminding us that this involves an 11-year-old child with no prior criminal history.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the child’s mother will face charges, despite owning the firearm legally.
Mid-Florida Pop Warner, in a statement to Fox News Digital, expressed their distress over the incident and their commitment to addressing the issue of gun violence involving young children. They are cooperating closely with local organizations and the national Pop Warner office to understand the circumstances surrounding the shooting and implement measures to enhance safety for program participants.
Their primary concern, as stated in the statement, is ensuring that all the young boys and girls in their teams are protected and feel secure while participating in a sport they love.