An 11-year-old youth football player is now facing a second-degree attempted murder charge after allegedly shooting two of his young teammates during practice, following a dispute over a bag of chips.
The child’s identity has not been disclosed due to his age, and he is currently charged with one count of attempted second-degree murder.
Apopka Police Chief Michael McKinley addressed a news conference, revealing that the boy had obtained the gun from an unlocked box inside his mother’s SUV.
He fired the weapon towards another teammate during the altercation, striking him in the back. The same shot is believed to have hit another juvenile in the arm. Fortunately, both injured children were promptly taken to the hospital and are expected to make a full recovery.
Chief McKinley emphasized the need for society to reflect on such incidents, stating that these situations are regrettably becoming more frequent.
He expressed concern about juveniles having access to firearms and the misguided belief that a gun can resolve their problems. In reality, it only exacerbates the problems for everyone involved.
The mother of the 11-year-old may also face charges for leaving the firearm accessible, adding a layer of responsibility to the situation.
These events highlight a broader issue of gun violence involving children, with statistics from the Gun Violence Archive indicating that, so far this year, 1,327 children have lost their lives, and another 3,580 have been injured due to firearms.
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