A Florida teen is in custody after fatally shooting his parents before walking more than a mile to a church and calling 911, authorities say.
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said during a news conference that a 14-year-old male called 911 around 12:01 a.m. Monday, from a church in Middleburg, Florida.
During the call, the teen reported that he had shot and killed his parents, 44-year-old David Lee and 45-year-old Brandi Smith, at their home after a domestic argument, according to police.
“He stated that deputies could find his parents at the house, and that he had walked just a mile away to church, and he would wait for deputies to arrive to take him into custody,” Cook said.
Newsweek reached out to the local prosecutor’s office via email Monday during nonworking hours for information about charges, the court appearance schedule and whether the teen has an attorney.
Why It Matters
The double fatal shooting has shocked the Clay County community and raised urgent questions about gun access, adolescent mental health and family intervention.
The incident underscores broader national concerns about youth violence and the availability of firearms in the home, especially as investigators look into the underlying causes and the systems in place to prevent such tragedies.
What To Know
Authorities said that the 14-year-old boy told a 911 dispatcher that he had walked to a church after fatally shooting his parents in their home on Silver Point in the Fleming Island section of Middleburg following an argument. Middleburg is about 30 miles southwest of Jacksonville.
Cook said that the preliminary investigation showed a domestic dispute had occurred late Sunday night leading up to the shooting.
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Clay County police responded to both the church and family home. At the home, deputies found both parents dead from apparent gunshot wounds, Cook said, and that the teen was picked up by deputies at the church.
Lee and Smith are believed to be the boy’s biological parents, Cook told reporters.
Cook said investigators believe the gun belonged to one of the parents, and that the teen left the weapon at the house after the shooting.
“We’re still again, looking into that, talking to him, finding out where the gun was, how he got ahold of the gun, how did he know the gun was there,” Cook said, adding that the weapon was recovered at the home.
She said there were no other people in the house when the gunfire broke out, and that there was no danger to the public.
Cook added that the investigation has just begun, and detectives are working to determine exactly what happened.
“We’re going to be looking at his mental health background, his history in school and any other information that might shine light on what led to this tragic event,” the sheriff said.
What People Are Saying
Cook said during a news conference Monday: “Our detectives are working diligently to try to figure all of this out. We do want to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, the friends and all of those who are affected by this heartbreaking incident.”
What Happens Next
Authorities said they plan to review the teen’s school records and mental health history, along with interviewing extended family members and associates.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office asked the public to please reach out with any information that could help clarify the events preceding the shooting.