Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old kills his older sister, deputies say

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In a tragic incident, a 14-year-old boy in Florida took the life of his older sister during a heated dispute over Christmas presents, as reported by local deputies. The victim, a young mother of an 11-month-old baby whom she was carrying in a baby carrier, was fatally shot by her 14-year-old brother while attempting to intervene in the argument. This dispute had arisen between the 14-year-old and their 15-year-old sibling, who was also armed at the time, according to law enforcement authorities.

Following the fatal shooting, the 15-year-old brother, in an act of retaliation, fired his weapon at the 14-year-old, although the injuries sustained were not fatal. This tragic incident unfolded on a Sunday in Largo, Florida, situated within the Tampa metro area, as revealed by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in an official statement.

The initial disagreement over gifts had begun while the three siblings were engaged in Christmas shopping, accompanied by their mother and the sister’s two young sons, aged 6 and 11 months. The argument persisted even when they later convened at their grandmother’s residence. Here, the 23-year-old sister, in an effort to quell the dispute, urged her younger brother, who was only 14, to cease arguing with his older sibling, given the significance of Christmas Eve. However, the situation escalated as the younger brother threatened to harm the sister and her infant child, ultimately firing a fatal shot into her chest, as detailed by the sheriff’s office.

In response to this tragedy, the older brother took action against his younger sibling outside the home, in reaction to the harm inflicted upon their sister. He subsequently fled the scene, discarding his firearm in a nearby yard. Authorities located him and subsequently admitted him to a mental health facility due to his threats of self-harm. Once released from the mental health facility, the 15-year-old will be transferred to a juvenile detention center, in accordance with the information provided in the news release.

The 14-year-old brother has been charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, and possession of a firearm as a delinquent. Meanwhile, his 15-year-old sibling faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and tampering with evidence, as detailed by the sheriff’s office. At this time, there is no available online court docket to ascertain whether either of the teenagers has legal representation to provide comment on the case.

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• Mental health facility admission for the 15-year-old brother
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