A 13-year-old boy in Florida was pulled over for driving erratically on a highway at 2 a.m. this week, leading to a concerning discovery by the authorities. The incident occurred on Highway 98 near County Highway 393 North, where the teen was driving an SUV. The Walton County Sheriff's Office shared that the boy struck a large construction barrel as the vehicle entered a construction zone, prompting law enforcement to intervene.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers found a fully loaded 38 special revolver, a vape, and a marijuana pipe. In response to the situation, the teen was issued a criminal citation for driving without a license. Additionally, authorities are in the process of applying for a warrant on charges of minor in possession of a firearm.
Following up on the incident, School Resource Deputies have been in contact with the family, and the child has been placed in distance learning pending potential arrest. The Miami Herald reported that the citation issued to the boy is equivalent to an arrest without physical booking. The boy was not permitted to drive away but was instead returned to his guardians by the sheriff's office.
For further updates on crime news, individuals can subscribe to PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for the latest breaking news, ongoing trial coverage, and details on intriguing unsolved cases. Despite requests for additional information, the Walton County Sheriff's Office has not yet responded to inquiries.
