BRANDON, Fla. (WWSB) – Two teens were arrested following a disturbance involving armed suspects at Brandon Mall, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
On June 18, deputies located two juvenile suspects, a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy, who fled on foot through a nearby store and surrounding area. As deputies pursued them, the juveniles discarded a backpack containing a loaded AR-15-style firearm and later threw away a handgun.
Deputies said they learned the suspects had threatened a victim and implied they were armed, causing her to fear for her safety.
The teens were arrested, the firearms were recovered, and no one was injured.
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The 16-year-old was charged with child violation of probation, resisting an officer without violence, possession of a firearm by a minor, disrupting a school function or lawful assembly, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The 15-year-old was charged with resisting an officer without violence, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a minor, disrupting a school function or lawful assembly, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The investigation is ongoing.
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