International News: 11-year-old shoots two teens after altercation at football practice in Florida

Published by [email protected] at October 4, 2023

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Posted: Wednesday, October 4, 2023. 8:35 pm CST.

By Horace Palacio: An altercation during a Pop Warner football practice led to a tragic turn of events in Apopka, central Florida, when an 11-year-old boy fetched a gun from an unlocked box inside his mother’s vehicle, and subsequently shot two 13-year-olds, local authorities confirmed Tuesday. The shocking incident, as reported by AP News, has once again brought the topic of gun safety to the forefront.

Apopka police Chief Mike McKinley revealed in a news conference on Tuesday morning that one shot was fired by the child on Monday evening, wounding one of the teens in the arm and the other in the torso. Perturbingly, surveillance footage displayed both teenagers running away from the young shooter at the time of the incident.

Thankfully, the injured teens are currently in stable condition. Officers, having reached the scene approximately four minutes after the reported shooting time of 8:18 p.m., were able to disarm and detain the child. Subsequently, the 11-year-old was charged with a count of attempted second-degree murder and has since been placed in the juvenile assessment center. In addition, the child’s mother could potentially face charges for leaving the firearm unsecured, constituting a second-degree misdemeanor.

Chief McKinley reflected on the grim nature of such occurrences, stating, “As a society, we need to reflect on this. We see this all the time now.” The emotional weight of arresting a child is palpable, with McKinley adding, “No one wants to arrest an 11-year-old by any means.”

The overarching hope, as voiced by McKinley, is for the child to obtain the necessary guidance and intervention to prevent this from becoming a defining moment in his life. McKinley is optimistic about the potential for redemption, hoping the legal system can offer constructive paths forward, such as diversion programs and counseling.

Details regarding the origin of the altercation remain undisclosed, with an ongoing investigation. The incident occurred amidst a gathering of numerous parents and children attending the football practice, with additional spectators present for a neighboring soccer practice. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported.

Apopka, the scene of the harrowing event, is situated roughly 20 miles northwest of Orlando, Florida.

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