Daytona Beach boy, 8, in custody after pointing gun at person, police say

Boy, 8, arrested after allegedly pointing gun in Daytona Beach

An 8-year-old boy was arrested after authorities say he pointed a gun at someone at his apartment complex in Daytona Beach.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - An 8-year-old boy was arrested after authorities say he pointed a gun at someone at his apartment complex in Daytona Beach.

According to police, a 911 call led officers to the complex, where they took the elementary school student into custody. 

The backstory:

Officers with the Daytona Beach Police Department responded to Clyde Morris Landings Apartment Homes around 6:30 p.m., on Feb. 20, based on reports of a child handling a gun, an arrest affidavit said.

Seeing the door to an apartment unit was slightly cracked open, the officer yelled, "police department," multiple times, the affidavit said.

The boy's mother returned to find officers questioning her son, according to the police report, and he provided a confession — which was redacted from the report. 

Investigators said the gun belonged to the boy’s mother and had been left unsecured in the home. 

No physical injuries were reported.

What they're saying:

Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said the boy’s age does not change the department’s priority of ensuring public safety.

He urged parents to properly secure firearms and to monitor their children’s belongings. 

"We are asking our parents to step up and be parents, and if you’re going to be a gun owner, be a responsible gun owner," he said, adding that parents should check their children’s rooms and backpacks.

What's next:

Police said the boy committed aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by intentionally pointing a semi-automatic handgun at another person – whose age has not been released – causing them to fear for their life.  Authorities said the mother will also face a charge of child neglect for allowing the child access to the firearm.