Authorities in Florida claimed a 12-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl opened fire at deputies with several firearms, including what they said was an AK-47 or a similar rifle.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said the two children allegedly broke into a home on Tuesday and found the weapons and fired at deputies for about 30 minutes, according to a news release. The 14-year-old was identified as Nicole Jackson and the 12-year-old was identified as Travis O'Brien.
Deputies said they were searching for the boy and girl after they ran away from a foster home.
Chitwood said that during the incident, the girl was shot in the arm and abdomen before she was taken to a nearby hospital, where she is reportedly in serious condition. The boy surrendered and wasn’t injured, he said, reported CNN.
“I don’t know what to say. Where have we gone wrong that a 12-year-old and 14-year-old think it’s okay to take on law enforcement?” the sheriff asked rhetorically.
The girl was wounded after she allegedly came out of the home armed with a shotgun and aimed it at the deputies, said the sheriff’s office. They said the boy was “armed with an AK-47” and “finally put his weapon down” after the girl was shot.
“Both children had fired at deputies multiple times throughout the incident as deputies attempted to resolve it peacefully. No deputies were injured,” the release added.