NEW DELHI: A family gathering on Christmas Eve in Largo, Florida, took a devastating turn as a 23-year-old woman, holding her 11-month-old son in a baby carrier, was fatally shot by her 14-year-old brother. The altercation arose during an argument over Christmas gifts with the woman’s 15-year-old brother, who was also armed, according to authorities.
The incident began when the three siblings, accompanied by their mother and the woman’s two sons aged 6 and 11 months, were Christmas shopping. The disagreement persisted when they later gathered at their grandmother’s house. The 23-year-old sister intervened, urging her younger brother to cease arguing with their 15-year-old sibling, emphasizing the holiday’s significance. However, the situation escalated when the 14-year-old brother, expressing alarming intentions, shot his sister in the chest.
The 15-year-old brother responded by shooting his 14-year-old sibling, though the injuries were not fatal. Following the incident, the older brother fled the scene, discarding his firearm in a nearby yard. Law enforcement officials said that he was apprehended and taken to a mental health facility due to threats of self-harm. Upon release from the mental health facility, he will be transferred to a juvenile detention center, as outlined in the official news release.
Responded to the incident, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, charges the 14-year-old brother with first-degree murder, child abuse and possessing a firearm as a delinquent. Meanwhile, the 15-year-old brother is charged with attempted first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. As of now, there is no available online court docket indicating whether either of the teenagers has legal representation.
(With inputs from agencies)