Teens Charged With Firing Pellet Guns Into Building

In Delray Beach, Florida, three teens have been arrested and charged with firing pellet guns into the glass front door of a law office. 

Shortly after,  police had detained three youths on the roof of a building across the street from the law office.

Two of the teens confessed to police that just before firing the pellet guns at the law office, the three had driven around, firing at cars, signs and people.  Police later discovered that at least two men told were struck by pellets fired from a moving car.

Of the three teens, one is an adult and will be charged as an adult.  The 18-year old suspect is charged with aggravated battery with a weapon, firing into a building, and armed trespassing.  Reports indicate that the 18-year old is being held on an $18,000 bond.

Aggravated battery is a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. 

Firing a weapon into a building falls under the same statute as throwing (or shooting) a deadly missile.  The statute (Florida Statute section 790.19) reads:

"Whoever, wantonly or maliciously, shoots at, within, or into, or throws any missile or hurls or projects a stone or other hard substance which would produce death or great bodily harm, at, within, or in any public or private building, occupied or unoccupied, or public or private bus or any train, locomotive, railway car, caboose, cable railway car, street railway car, monorail car, or vehicle of any kind which is being used or occupied by any person, or any boat, vessel, ship, or barge lying in or plying the waters of this state, or aircraft flying through the airspace of this state shall be guilty of a felony of the second degree..."

Also arrested were a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old.  They will likely be prosecuted in juvenile court unless the State Attorney's Office decides to direct file these teenagers to adult court.

These are the charges at this time, but since the teens confessed that they had been driving around, firing pellets at people and at cars, additional charges may follow. They may also face additional charges of criminal mischief for the damage caused to the law office as well as any other property damaged by the pellets.

I represent both adult and juvenile defendants charged with crimes in Miami-Dade and Broward.  If you are seeking the services of a criminal defense attorney, call my office to discuss the matter confidentially.