Teen Brothers Have Gunfight Over Christmas Presents, Sister Killed

LARGO, FLORIDA — A tragic incident unfolded on Christmas Eve in Largo, Florida, leading to the arrest of two teenage brothers after a family dispute turned fatal. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri reported that the brothers, aged 14 and 15, were involved in a heated argument over the distribution of Christmas gifts while shopping with their family. Post-shopping, the family visited the grandmother’s house. At this residence, tensions escalated when the 14-year-old threatened his brother with a gun. Despite attempts by their uncle to defuse the situation, the confrontation continued outside the house.

The altercation became deadly when the 14-year-old, in a heated argument with his 23-year-old sister, who was holding her infant son, shot her in the chest with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Reacting to his sister’s shooting, the 15-year-old fired at the 14-year-old, striking him in the stomach. The 15-year-old then fled the scene, discarding his weapon nearby, but was later arrested at a relative’s home in Clearwater.

The sister succumbed to her injuries, while the 14-year-old was hospitalized and underwent surgery. He is now facing charges of first-degree murder, child abuse, and firearm possession by a delinquent. The 15-year-old is charged with attempted first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. The case is under review by the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether the 14-year-old will be tried as an adult.