NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A 16-year-old was arrested on Thursday after deputies said he pulled a gun in a crowd of spring breakers at New Smyrna Beach.
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, deputies were patrolling that area of the beach around 3:45 p.m. near Flagler Avenue, which is when they heard the crowd yelling. Some people began shouting “He has a gun!”
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In response, deputies ran to the scene and found Lakeland teen Felixander Solis-Guzman wielding a handgun, investigators explained.
In a release, deputies said they drew their firearms and approached the teen while commanding him to drop his handgun.
“They observed our desperado pointing a gun at another individual,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood told News 6. “He then looks up and sees the deputies and takes a long run along the water’s edge.”
“Now, remember, there’s massive crowds on the beach,” Chitwood said. “He’s running and he never gets rid of that gun.”
Chitwood said Solis-Guzman went into the ocean, where he threw his gun and a black satchel into the water.
The teen surrendered to deputies shortly thereafter.
Both the gun and bag were retrieved from the water, deputies added. The bag held 20 smaller plastic bags filled with marijuana.
“What I have here is a little desperado out of Orange County. Armed. Decides to come to our beach because he’s here to sell drugs,” Chitwood said.
Beachgoers said they were stunned by the incident.
“I’ve never seen that happen, and we come here all the time,” said Alyssa Miller said, who at New Smyrna Beach with her friend, both of whom are college students and were wrapping up their spring break.
“It’s not completely surprising, but it is scary. That is an adolescent. He’s not even 18-years-old,” beachgoer Daya Padilla said.
The 16-year-old faces charges of firearm possession by a minor, improper exhibition of a firearm, resisting a law enforcement officer, sale of marijuana, commission of a second-degree felony with a weapon, two counts of tampering with evidence, and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
The Office of the State Attorney announced late Friday that Solis-Guzman would be prosecuted as an adult.
“This 16-year-old brought drugs and a gun to Volusia County during Spring Break,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said on X. “He will now face adult charges and serious consequences for his reckless actions. We welcome Spring Breakers, so long as they behave themselves.”
In addition, the teen was arrested on seven active no-bond warrants out of Orange County, including armed robbery and violation of probation, deputies said.
He was ultimately taken to the Volusia Family Resource Center for processing before being transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Deputies said no injuries were reported during this incident.
During Solis-Guzman’s first appearance in court on Saturday, he was given no bond and was appointed a public defender.
No additional information has been provided, including where the teen obtained the firearm and why he pulled it out on the beach.
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