Two teenage brothers are now facing charges following a tragic turn of events during a family dispute on Christmas Eve in Largo, according to authorities.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri revealed that the 14-year-old and 15-year-old siblings engaged in an argument while Christmas shopping with the family on Sunday.
The sheriff explained that the older brother, aged 15, harbored jealousy over the number of gifts their mother was buying for his younger sibling.
After leaving the store, the family, consisting of the two brothers, their mother, their 23-year-old sister, and her 10-month-old and 6-year-old sons, headed to their grandmother’s home for child care while the sister went to work.
While at their grandmother’s home on 22nd Avenue Southwest in Largo, the situation escalated when the 14-year-old brandished a gun and threatened to shoot his brother in the head, as per authorities.
Initially, the 15-year-old declined to engage in the fight, and the boys’ uncle intervened to separate them, Yahoo News reported.
The 14-year-old reportedly left the home and went outside, with his sister urging them to cease the conflict, reminding them that it was Christmas.
However, tensions flared again between the 14-year-old and his sister, who was carrying her 10-month-old son in a baby carrier.
The 14-year-old directed derogatory language at his sister and proceeded to shoot her in the chest with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, according to the sheriff’s office.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the 15-year-old retaliated against his brother, firing shots and exclaiming, “you shot my m***** f****** sister.”
The 15-year-old fled the scene, discarding his gun in a nearby yard. He was later apprehended at a relative’s home in Clearwater, according to the sheriff’s office, as reported by Yahoo News.
The 14-year-old, who sustained a gunshot wound to his stomach, underwent surgery after being transported to the hospital. Tragically, their sister succumbed to her injuries.
The 14-year-old is facing charges of first-degree murder, child abuse, and being a delinquent in possession of a firearm. The 15-year-old is charged with attempted first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.
The Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney’s Office will assess the case to determine whether the 14-year-old will be charged as an adult.
Written by B.C. Begley
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B.C. Begley 