Daytona Beach Police Report: 8-Year-Old Detained for Allegedly Brandishing Firearm in Park Incident

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Authorities in Daytona Beach took an 8-year-old boy into custody on Friday after he allegedly pointed a gun at someone in a local park situated within an apartment complex.

The young boy now faces a serious legal charge: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, classified as a felony, though there was no intent to kill involved.

The incident came to light through a report from the Clyde Morris Landings apartment homes. According to the arrest affidavit, which has been heavily redacted, Daytona Beach police responded to a call from the “reporting party.”

The responding officers noted in the affidavit that the boy’s actions instilled a “well-founded fear for the other person’s life,” leading to the charges.

Upon arriving at the boy’s residence, officers discovered the front door unlocked and slightly ajar. They announced their presence, calling out “police department” multiple times as they entered, as stated in the affidavit.

While the officers engaged with the boy, his mother returned home. The officers then read the boy his Miranda rights, ensuring these rights were clearly explained to his mother as well.

The boy was then arrested and taken into custody, police said.

The boy’s arrest was made just days before Volusia deputies announced that a 12-year-old was arrested on allegations of writing and posting a “detailed manifesto” about a mass shooting plan at a DeLand school.