VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A 15-year-old girl accused of shooting at Volusia County deputies in June 2021 appeared in court arguing to go to trial.
The girl told a judge in court Wednesday morning she wanted the case to go trial, while her lawyer asked for a continuance.
The state previously offered the girl a plea deal of 20 years followed by probation, which she rejected. Judge Elizabeth Blackburn urged the girl during the hearing to consider what was going on and what a trial could bring.
“This is a decision children of your age rarely have to face,” she said.
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The teen, who was 14 years old at the time of the shootout, is one of two foster children accused of breaking into a home and using guns inside to fire at the deputies who responded to the scene in Enterprise. A 13-year-old boy, who was 12 at the time of the shooting, was with the teen and entered a no contest plea deal in March.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said the two opened fire on deputies, who were shot at for about 30 minutes. Eventually, the girl came outside with the shotgun leveled at deputies, according to the sheriff’s office, forcing them to return fire.
“They positioned themselves by a bedroom door and from my tactical experience, I was amazed the young lady took the position at the door with a shotgun and it was to the point it looked like she was waiting for our deputies to come in,” said Sgt. Donnie Maxwell, who hid behind a tree as he was fired at.
The deputies were cleared by the 7th District State Attorney’s Office after reviewing reports and witness statements.
Records show both children have histories of mental health issues and have been held for psychological evaluations several times under the Baker Act.
News 6 initially decided to name and show pictures of the 12-year-old and 14-year-old due to the seriousness of the incident and the charges they face. However, after learning of their mental history, News 6 will not be showing the boy or girl or naming them in future coverage.
The girl faces felony charges of attempted first-degree murder of law enforcement officers and armed burglary.
The judge granted the girl’s lawyer’s motion of continuance and set the next hearing in the case for July 6.