Armed juveniles were arrested and charged after a mall disturbance in Central Florida.
A disturbance involving armed suspects at the Brandon Mall in Tampa earlier in the summer led to the arrest of the two teens.
When Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspects, both fled on foot through a nearby store and surrounding area. As deputies followed them, the juveniles discarded a backpack containing a loaded AR-15-style firearm and later threw away a handgun, according to law enforcement.
Deputies safely took 16-year-old Dae Shaun Rah Kel Williams and 15-year-old Dontavias Tavares Stewart Jr. into custody. Both firearms were recovered, and no one was injured.
Deputies learned the suspects had threatened a victim and implied they were armed, causing her to fear for her safety.
“Armed juveniles threatening the public will face serious consequences,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “These two individuals are now facing serious felony charges. We will not tolerate violent crime in our community, regardless of the offender’s age. This arrest demonstrates that criminal behavior, especially involving weapons, will result in accountability.”
According to local law enforcement, 16-year-old Dae Shaun Rah Kel Williams faced charges including: Child Violation of Probation, Resisting an Officer Without Violence, Minor in Possession of a Firearm, Disrupting a School Function or Lawful Assembly, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
According to HCSO, 15-year-old Dontavias Tavares Stewart Jr. faced charges including: Resisting an Officer Without Violence, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Minor in Possession of a Firearm, Disrupting a School Function or Lawful Assembly, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
The post Armed Juveniles Arrested after Mall Disturbance in Central Florida appeared first on West Orlando News.
Source: West Orlando News
Published: 2026-08-10 12:58:00