Florida: 11-Year-Old Boy Shoots 2 Teens During Football Practice

An 11-year-old Florida boy has been apprehended following an incident in which he shot two 13-year-olds after a confrontation during an American football practice, according to BBC.

The altercation escalated into a physical fight, after which the young assailant retrieved a firearm from his mother's car and discharged a single round, according to law enforcement authorities.

Both victims remained in stable condition despite being struck by the same bullet. One sustained an injury to the arm, while the other required surgery for a torso wound.

The Florida boy now faces a charge of attempted second-degree murder.

Furthermore, the authorities are considering potential charges against adults, as the firearm was not securely stored in a locked container, as stated by Apopka Police Chief Mike McKinley.

In a press conference Tuesday morning, McKinley described the incident at the Northwest Recreation Complex the night before as highly concerning.

He voiced, "We shouldn't have 11-year-olds who have access to guns and think they can resolve a dispute with a firearm."

Football Practice Shooting Incident

The incident unfolded at the complex, leading to the arrest of the 11-year-old Florida boy, who was subsequently taken to a juvenile assessment center, preliminarily charged with second-degree attempted murder.

Authorities are presently reviewing the possibility of pressing charges against adults, said CNN.

Police Chief McKinley highlighted video evidence showing the two teenagers from Florida attempting to flee when the firearm was discharged.

He clarified that the gun in question was legally owned, and investigators have yet to determine the root cause of the dispute between the youths.

McKinley also pointed out that the 11-year-old involved had no prior criminal record, expressing the hope that he receives the necessary support to ensure this incident does not define the rest of his life.

McKinley emphasized the young age of the perpetrator, stating that he has a long future ahead of him, one that can potentially be redirected positively.

Apopka Pop Warner released a statement expressing deep sadness over the incident and offering sympathy to the affected families.

As a response, Tuesday's practices were canceled, counseling services will be provided for those in need, and the organization plans to conduct parent meetings on Wednesday.

Why Did the Florida Boy Shoot the Teens?

Regarding the motivation behind the shooting, the arrest report suggested that the suspects and victims engaged in a physical altercation before the firearm was discharged, with indications that the victims may have instigated the confrontation.

Witnesses reported that the dispute originated over a bag of chips and that one victim had slapped the boy, ABC News noted.

Surveillance footage showed one of the victims pursuing the 11-year-old boy as he headed toward his mother's car.

By the time the suspect obtained the gun from the vehicle, the pursuing victim was already walking away.

The Florida boy allegedly ran towards the victim and fired a single shot at his back, unintentionally hitting both teens with the same bullet.

The report also revealed that the suspect was approximately 6 to 8 feet from the victim when the shot was fired.

The Florida boy's mother informed the police that she had kept a small 9 mm purple handgun with live ammunition in a locked container beneath the front passenger seat of her car.

She stated that her son was aware of the gun's presence but had been cautioned not to handle it and was informed that it was for her protection.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Video shows moment 11-year-old shot two teens after Pop Warner football practice in Apopka - From WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando