By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Tragic incident: 11-Year-Old shoots Two teens after altercation on football field
In a deeply distressing event, an 11-year-old boy retrieved a gun from an unlocked box within his mother’s vehicle and proceeded to shoot two 13-year-olds following a heated altercation that unfolded during an American football practice in central Florida, as reported by BBC on Tuesday.
Both victims are in stable condition, having been struck by the same bullet. One sustained an arm injury, while the other required surgery for a torso wound.
The young assailant now faces a charge of attempted second-degree murder. Authorities are also considering pressing charges against some adults involved, as the firearm was not securely stored in a locked box, stated Apopka police chief Mike McKinley.
During a press briefing on Tuesday morning, McKinley expressed his dismay at the previous night’s incident at the Northwest Recreation Complex, deeming it as “not good”. He emphatically stated, “We shouldn’t have 11-year-olds with access to guns and thinking they can resolve a dispute with a firearm.”
McKinley went on to highlight that occurrences of this nature were becoming distressingly common, with children gaining access to firearms at younger ages. He characterized this incident as a grim departure from the typical sideline altercations occasionally witnessed between parents at youth sports events.
Details surrounding the initial altercation remain unclear, transpiring during a I’m football practice. Pop Warner, named after a renowned college coach, is touted as the leading youth football, cheerleading, and dance organization in the nation.
The dispute escalated from the sports facility to the parking lot, where the young aggressor retrieved the weapon from his mother’s car. Responding officers arrived swiftly, approximately four minutes after 20:20 local time.
The victim struck in the arm was promptly treated and discharged from the hospital on the same night. Meanwhile, the victim who sustained a torso injury is in stable condition following a surgical procedure